The black Frenchman who was the victim of racist abuse by Chelsea football fans on the Paris Metro has received a personal message from President Francois Hollande.
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The president took the unusual step of speaking to Souleymane S. on the telephone on Friday to express his sympathy over his ordeal.
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“President @fhollande spoke to Souleymane S and offered his support over the odious racial attack he suffered,” the Elysee announced on its Twitter account.
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Souleymane S, a French-Mauritanian, was blocked from boarding a train by fans travelling to the Parc des Princes for the 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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Footage captured by a bystander appears to show him being pushed back on to the platform amid chants of “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”.
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Chelsea have condemned the attack and have suspended a total of five people from attending matches at their Stamford Bridge ground, with the potential for life bans.
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Chelsea and their manager Jose Mourinho had extended an invitation to Souleymane to attend a match but the keen taekwondo enthusiast said he would be declining it.
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“I am touched by the invitation from Mr Mourinho, but I’m not in the right frame of mind to go to a stadium at the moment,” he told newspaper Le Parisien on Saturday.
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