Chelsea fan sorry over Paris Metro incident

[never kickt a ball]

22 February 2015 Last updated at 22:21

Chelsea fan sorry over Paris Metro incident

An ex-police officer and Chelsea fan has apologised for his part in an alleged racist incident on the Paris Metro - but has denied he is a racist.
Richard Barklie, 50, of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was identified as one of the people sought by the Met Police.
In a statement, he denied racist chanting and said he wanted to explain the context of the incident to police.
Chelsea Football Club has barred five fans after a video showed a black man being prevented from boarding a train.
Mr Barklie, an ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland officer, is currently a director with a human rights organisation - the World Human Rights Forum - and has also worked supporting victims of the Troubles.
Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters issued a statement on behalf of the Chelsea season ticket-holder.
In it he said Mr Barklie:
had been involved in an "incident" in which a man - identified as Souleymane S - was "unable to enter part of the train"
had not taken part in racist singing and "condemns any behaviour supporting that"
had contacted the Met Police to "explain the context and circumstances" and wanted to "put on record his total abhorrence for racism"
wanted to state his "sincerest apologies for the trauma and stress suffered by Mr Souleymane"
went to the match alone and did not know anyone shown in the video
had travelled to games for more than 20 years "without incident" and had never been part of any "group or faction" of Chelsea fans
The statement added: "As someone who has spent years working with disadvantaged communities in Africa and India, he can point to a CV in human rights work which undermines any suggestion he is racist."
It said the Met Police had confirmed "arrangements were in hand to take the investigation to the next stage".
Earlier, the Met said three men being sought in connection with the incident had been identified - and released images including one of Mr Barklie.
Amateur video shot at Paris's Richelieu-Drouot station showed a man being pushed from the Metro train while a group chanted: "We're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it."
Chelsea has said it will ban the five suspended fans from attending Stamford Bridge for life if there is sufficient evidence of their involvement.
A spokesman said the club was writing to the victim to "apologise unreservedly", while manager Jose Mourinho has said he is "ashamed" by the alleged racism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31575913?print=true

[muppet]

Caveat: Innocent until proven guilty etc...

but....

'Mr Barklie, an ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland officer, is currently a director with a human rights organisation - the World Human Rights Forum - and has also worked supporting victims of the Troubles.'

This reminds me of some of those high profile campaigners against, for example, homosexuality. It is uncanny how often they turn out to be spectacular hypocrites.

[Maguire01]

I'm not clear on what exactly he's apologising for. What does he consider his "part" was?

[armaghniac]

Caveat: Innocent until proven guilty etc...

He may have just been on train.

This reminds me of some of those high profile campaigners against, for example, homosexuality. It is uncanny how often they turn out to be spectacular hypocrites.

Well they could have been seeking treatment for a sports injury.........

I'm not clear on what exactly he's apologising for. What does he consider his "part" was?

He was in the video.

[muppet]

I'm not clear on what exactly he's apologising for. What does he consider his "part" was?

Earlier, the Met said three men being sought in connection with the incident had been identified - and released images including one of Mr Barklie.

[JoG2]

22 February 2015 Last updated at 22:21

Chelsea fan sorry over Paris Metro incident

An ex-police officer and Chelsea fan has apologised for his part in an alleged racist incident on the Paris Metro - but has denied he is a racist.
Richard Barklie, 50, of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was identified as one of the people sought by the Met Police.
In a statement, he denied racist chanting and said he wanted to explain the context of the incident to police.
Chelsea Football Club has barred five fans after a video showed a black man being prevented from boarding a train.
Mr Barklie, an ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland officer, is currently a director with a human rights organisation - the World Human Rights Forum - and has also worked supporting victims of the Troubles.
Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters issued a statement on behalf of the Chelsea season ticket-holder.
In it he said Mr Barklie:
had been involved in an "incident" in which a man - identified as Souleymane S - was "unable to enter part of the train"
had not taken part in racist singing and "condemns any behaviour supporting that"
had contacted the Met Police to "explain the context and circumstances" and wanted to "put on record his total abhorrence for racism"
wanted to state his "sincerest apologies for the trauma and stress suffered by Mr Souleymane"
went to the match alone and did not know anyone shown in the video
had travelled to games for more than 20 years "without incident" and had never been part of any "group or faction" of Chelsea fans
The statement added: "As someone who has spent years working with disadvantaged communities in Africa and India, he can point to a CV in human rights work which undermines any suggestion he is racist."
It said the Met Police had confirmed "arrangements were in hand to take the investigation to the next stage".
Earlier, the Met said three men being sought in connection with the incident had been identified - and released images including one of Mr Barklie.
Amateur video shot at Paris's Richelieu-Drouot station showed a man being pushed from the Metro train while a group chanted: "We're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it."
Chelsea has said it will ban the five suspended fans from attending Stamford Bridge for life if there is sufficient evidence of their involvement.
A spokesman said the club was writing to the victim to "apologise unreservedly", while manager Jose Mourinho has said he is "ashamed" by the alleged racism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31575913?print=true

What a Dick

[93-DY-SAM]

If he didn't do anything why does he feel the need for an apology?

[deiseach]

I'd imagine it's a public display of sackcloth and ashes for the benefit of his employer. A human rights organisation would be entitled to expect an employee to be slightly more activist in these situations than the average citizen, especially when they should have experience of it in their past.

[seafoid]

I'd imagine it's a public display of sackcloth and ashes for the benefit of his employer. A human rights organisation would be entitled to expect an employee to be slightly more activist in these situations than the average citizen, especially when they should have experience of it in their past.

pure PR to avoid a twitter backlash or focus in the news for a few days

Sorry isn't good enough anyway in such situations.
He should have said "baby can I hold you"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzIE3mRFypQ

[Over the Bar]

He's attemting to save his ass from the sack.  Contrite apology....not travelling with the perpetrators....merely a bystander.....will fully cooperate with any investigation...etc

Quare fellow to be a director of a human rights org.....just like wee Wille F himself!!

I see Ronseal Ruth couldn't resist getting her fat face stuck in the middle of it too!

[ballinaman]

Had to laugh at this....

West Ham fans trolling Chelsea with this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGrNzloMSU

Same day they sing this on another train....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B4BpnoIff4

[yellowcard]

Is he a member of the Chelsea headhunters?

[Bingo]

Is he a member of the Chelsea headhunters?

He hadn't paid his subs in a couple of years, so he doesn't have the current years membership card and was travelling on his own and just happened to be on the train at the time. 

[Rossfan]

Why is anyone surprised that an ex RUCite from Carrickfergus would display an ubermensch mentality.

[Orior]

Why is anyone surprised that an ex RUCite from Carrickfergus would display an ubermensch mentality.

Not surprised at all. I'd hazard a guess that he's an ex DUP supporter who is now voting for UKIP