Lifelong Chelsea Supporter Andy Silverman describes his shame on hearing about the incident on the Paris Metro last week…
If Chelsea fans are guilty by association, I should really stop this article now and just type an apology. However, we are not all guilty, no more so than so many other crimes that have been committed within other groups. I am not going to list them, but I expect lots can draw there own conclusion.
In saying that w
hat happened on the metro in Paris was despicable, unacceptable, and vile. What happened has NO place in football, society or anywhere in this day and age. If anyone thinks that any civil minded Chelsea supporter thinks otherwise they are as misguided as the tools who committed this crime.
As the story broke and I first saw the video, I felt like many others. I was left speechless condemning their actions, and more than anything disgusted at what I had seen. It was like a throw back to those bad old days.
Watching the video I found out that they were actually on their way to the game. If they had tickets at all in the first place, I could not comprehend that they were actually about to attend the game. Were they not going to cheer our foreign players? Our black players? If that was Didier, would they have pushed him off the train? What a mind set, what goes through their heads? I just don’t understand. Their actions and the low level of brain cells these idiots have shown tell you all you need to know about them.
When I woke up the following morning, as expected, the incident became front page news as well as back page news. The condemnation of these few mindless thugs was there for everyone to see. These idiots had tarnished our wonderful club and it seemed we were ALL guilty by association.
I draw your attention to my surname, ‘Silverman’. It’s Jewish, as is my father. I draw your attention to my two wonderful mixed race nephews and Jamaican sister in law. In some cases you have to defend yourself, when you have to prove to these idiotic trolls that they are wrong and that, NO, we are not ALL racists. We do not associate ourselves with these thugs and no we DO NOT want them anywhere near our ground or have anything to do with our club. We have to draw on personal proof that we aren’t guilty by association as they would like to think.
Paul Canoville, someone I have had the pleasure to meet on the excellent Chelsea Fancast, has worked tirelessly over his many years 
associated with the club said this:
‘I watched it and I was in disgust. I was so angry and ashamed. We’ve done so much campaigning against the very issue of racism and this happens and it’s brought it all right back down. I don’t care if it’s the minority because regardless of that it is connected to the club and when you mention Chelsea this will be the response. I can’t believe this has come about. Chelsea have responded quickly on this and are going to ban the individuals but now at this very moment those people who know who is involved in this need to spot them out because we don’t want them. Enough is enough and these people have to be banned for life.’
My twitter timeline on Wednesday and the following couple of days was the saddest and most upsetting thing I have seen in a long while. Seeing some dear close black and mix race friends, both Chelsea and otherwise, tweets was heart wrenching. The texts and DM’s I sent to assure to them that these idiots will be found, that they will be banned for life and just messages of love and support was something I didn’t think I would have to send in 2015.
The swiftness of the club’s condemnation of the incident, how in two days they gave bans on three of the accused, with life bans if found guilty was good to see. The club should be applauded for working tirelessly to get rid of the evil these people have placed upon our club must be applauded.
I’ll end this now. NOT all Chelsea fans are racist. I do not want to sit/stand next to anyone who is. I love my football club, its been a way of life and I’ve been part of it for over 30 years. Over the past few days, it’s been upsetting, sad and beyond anything some could imagine to see the press and the public rip my club apart. However, together as a club and as a family we can fight back more than ever. We can condemn these peoples actions. We can voice our disgust and we can tell these idiots to STAY AWAY. We don’t want you at Stamford Bridge and we don’t want you at away games. This is our club, this is Chelsea Football Club the greatest football club in the world. We welcome ALL to it, every race, creed and colour. It will take some time to move forward, but lets do so and when we do we can leave behind the mindless scum that has tried to rip us apart. Stand up to racists, kick it out of football and lets move forward towards to our ultimate goals of winning games and winning trophies for the proper minded Chelsea loving fans.
Thanks for reading. I’ll leave you with a quote below that hits the heart of all Chelsea fans.
Remember, keep it blue, keep it carefree and keep it Chels. UP THE CHELS!!!
‘IT’S PROBABLY THE GREATEST NAME IN THE WORLD: CHELSEA. YOU THINK ABOUT IT. IT CONJURES UP THE BEST PART OF THE BIGGEST CITY IN THE WORLD, CHELSEA……… IT’S MAGICAL.’ – Jimmy Greaves (1957-1961)
By Andy Silverman. Follow Andy on twitter @ChelsLad66
