Chelsea fans 'sexually assaulted woman and sang racist songs on train', prompting police appeal

British Transport Police want to speak to witnesses who may have seen a group of ‘around 20 football fans’ who were allegedly seen sexually assaulting women and singing racist chants

Police are appealing to speak to witnesses after a group of football fans understood to be Chelsea supporters allegedly sexually assaulted and chanted racist songs on a train journey following the defeat against Leicester City.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place on 22 December on a train travelling from London Paddington to Worcester.

More than a dozen fans are understood to have boarded the train at Paddington shortly after Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

A British Transport Police statement issued on Tuesday read: “A group of around 20 football fans boarded the 6.22pm Great Western Service from London Paddington and began to chant racially abusive comments in front of families and children.

“They were also seen to sexually assault a number of women on board the train. It is believed they were Chelsea fans. The group, who were all men, left the train at Worcester.

“Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch so they can assist the investigation. In particular, they believe a number of women who were sexually assaulted are yet to come forward and they would like to encourage them to do so.”

Chelsea issued a statement in December to say they will not rest “until we have eliminated all forms of discrimination from our club”, following incidents that included antisemitic chanting from supporters at a Europa League match and alleged racist abuse of Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling during their Premier League encounter last month.

Police also spoke to three Chelsea supporters after reports of antisemitic chanting on a train following the club’s Premier League match at Brighton and Hove Albion on 16 December. Another fan was given a three-year ban from football after admitting chanting homophobic abuse at the same match.

Both Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and star forward Eden Hazard has pleaded for fans to behave at Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.

Sarri said: "I think we need the support of our fans of course. But we would like to have their support for us, not against the opponents."

Hazard added: “Just watch the game and enjoy the game. For sure after the game one team will win and one team will lose. Try to be fair. I like all fans, Spurs also have good away fans. I think it is a good game to play and I hope both fans will enjoy the game.

“Of course [I hope both fans respect each other]. These kind of fans [who sing abusive chants] are not fans of football, for me. They come to the stadium just to stay something. I understand they want to win the game but they need to be fair. Just support their team and not the other one.

Sarri urged Chelsea fans not to sing derogatory chants against Spurs on Tuesday (Getty)

“When we are players, we are examples,” Hazard continued. “The fans are also examples. I want Chelsea fans to be the best in the world. I don’t want to see a bad image of the Chelsea fans, of course. In football in general, not just Chelsea fans, in Italy we saw a lot of things.

“I want these things to disappear. It’s hard because football is a big world but if we are all together step-by-step, players, managers, journalists, then we can do something. I want people to remember the game.”