Five men summonsed over Paris Metro racism

LONDON - Five men will appear in court over the racist abuse of a black man prior to a Champions League game in Paris last month, British police announced on Wednesday.

Chelsea fans were filmed preventing the man from boarding a Metro train and singing racist songs before their Champions League last 16 first-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The victim, known as Souleymane S., said the incident had "destroyed" him and made him afraid to take public transport.

"I can't sleep any more. Every hour, every instant, I think about what happened. I think about the ordeal," he told French radio RTL.

He said his children had also been affected.

"I am obliged to tell them that there are people who aren't very nice, and that there are people who don't like black skin," he said.

"The Chelsea supporters have destroyed me. Even when I drive my car I feel like I'm being followed... I've never had that in my life." The incident in Paris, captured on the mobile phone of a British expatriate, sparked widespread condemnation and prompted Chelsea to ban five supporters from Stamford Bridge.

Scotland Yard said the five men will go before Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court in northeast London on March 25 "regarding a police application for football banning orders".

Chelsea invited Souleymane S. to attend Wednesday's game against PSG, but he turned down the invitation.

The London club were eliminated from the Champions League in the match, which ended 2-2.

Football banning orders can be issued by British courts following a conviction for a football-related offence and can last for between three and 10 years. Breaches of the orders can lead to prison sentences.