This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A former policeman and human rights activist is among four Chelsea supporters to have been banned from football matches for up to five years over the racial abuse and shoving of a black commuter in the doorway of a Paris Metro train.

Video showed Frenchman Souleymane Sylla repeatedly being pushed off the carriage amid chants of “we’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Footage shows Cheslea fans preventing Frenchman Souleymane Sylla from boarding Paris Metro train

Violence flared as Chelsea fans were in the French capital to watch the west London club’s Champions League match against Paris St Germain on 17 February.

Richard Barklie, 50, a director with the World Human Rights Forum, admitted twice pushing Sylla – but blamed the Parisian for using “aggression” and shouting as he tried to board.

But on Wednesday district judge Gareth Branston said Barklie had joined in the racist chanting. And he said the former police officer had “proved to be a menace” and had “demonstrated aggressive, disorderly conduct”.

Three other fans were also been issued football banning orders for their role in the race incident. Former finance worker Josh Parsons, 20, from Dorking, Surrey, was banned for five years. The judge said that, along with Barklie, Parsons played a leading role in the racist abuse and the pushing of Sylla, and “sang the chant glorifying racism”.

Jordan Munday, of Sidcup, south-east London, who is alleged to have joined in the racist chanting, was banned for three years. William Simpson, of Ashford, Surrey, who also played a part in pushing Sylla off the train, was banned for five years.