Paris Saint-Germain will take civil action after a group of individuals were recorded making alleged racist gestures at their players following their 1-0 Champions League win against Arsenal on Tuesday.
Footage captured by PSG staff while the squad boarded the team bus after leaving the Emirates Stadium was obtained by French publication RMC Sport. It appeared to show a group of fans beating their chests and making monkey noises towards the French team.
PSG will work alongside SOS Racisme, an international movement of anti-racist non-governmental organisations, as they initiate civil proceedings.
Arsenal said in a statement to English newspaper The Mirror: “We strongly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. We are working to identify the individuals in the video and we will take the strongest possible action.”
A spokesperson for SOS Racisme, who have also been contacted by The Athletic for comment, strongly condemned the actions of the individuals and told Le Parisien it will work with Arsenal to identify them.
UEFA may also punish Arsenal as they have done with other clubs in the Champions League for similar offences.
Barcelona were banned from selling tickets to the club’s away fans for one game by UEFA in September following racist supporter behaviour during their Champions League fixture at Monaco earlier this season.
Three Aston Villa supporters were arrested in April in connection with hate crime offences following their Champions League game against PSG on April 15. West Midlands Police (WMP) confirmed that two men were arrested on suspicion of racist chanting and one for an alleged racially aggravated public order offence.
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