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Chelsea fan's parents back son Richard Barklie over Paris incident | Chelsea fan's parents back son Richard Barklie over Paris incident |
(35 minutes later) | |
The parents of an ex-police officer and Chelsea fan involved in an alleged racist incident on the Paris Metro say they are "shocked and worried" for him. | The parents of an ex-police officer and Chelsea fan involved in an alleged racist incident on the Paris Metro say they are "shocked and worried" for him. |
Richard Barklie, 50, of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was identified as one of the people sought by the Met Police. | Richard Barklie, 50, of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was identified as one of the people sought by the Met Police. |
He denied racist chanting, apologised and said he wanted to explain the context of what happened to police. | He denied racist chanting, apologised and said he wanted to explain the context of what happened to police. |
"Richard is definitely not a racist," his mother said. | "Richard is definitely not a racist," his mother said. |
Chelsea Football Club has barred five fans after a video showed a black man being prevented from boarding a train. | 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. | 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. |
His mother said: "Richard has been a Chelsea fan since he was a little boy and a season ticket holder for a number of years. He's travelled all over the world without any trouble at all." | His mother said: "Richard has been a Chelsea fan since he was a little boy and a season ticket holder for a number of years. He's travelled all over the world without any trouble at all." |
His father has watched the video, but his mother refuses to watch it. | His father has watched the video, but his mother refuses to watch it. |
"I didn't know my son was in it until I saw the video. I was shocked and worried for him," Mr Barklie said. | "I didn't know my son was in it until I saw the video. I was shocked and worried for him," Mr Barklie said. |
Both Richard Barklie's parents said he is not racist and has worked in the field of human rights for a number of years. | Both Richard Barklie's parents said he is not racist and has worked in the field of human rights for a number of years. |
His parents said they had tried to text him but had not received a reply. | His parents said they had tried to text him but had not received a reply. |
Meanwhile, the Wave Trauma Centre based in Belfast said it had suspended a part-time worker pending further investigation following an allegation of involvement in a racist incident in Paris last week. | |
The centre said it would not be making any further comment as a Metropolitan Police investigation had begun. | |
Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters issued a statement on behalf of the Chelsea season ticket-holder. | Belfast solicitor Kevin Winters issued a statement on behalf of the Chelsea season ticket-holder. |
In it, he said Mr Barklie: | In it, he said Mr Barklie: |
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." | 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". | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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