Metro conviction could mean jail
Anyone convicted of hurling racist abuse at a black man as he tried to board a Paris Metro train could face jail, French prosecutors said.
Lawyers in Paris have confirmed that the alleged victim, identified only as Souleymane S, has made a formal complaint.
He told a French newspaper that those responsible needed to be "punished".
A man pushed off a Paris Metro train by Chelsea football fans chanting a racist song has called for them to be punished
According to Agnes Thibault, a spokeswoman for the Paris prosecutors' office, Souleymane reported the incident last night.
She added that the French authorities were working with their British counterparts and that the investigation was in its very early stages.
Ms Thibault confirmed that anyone convicted could face a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to 45,000 euro (£33,000).
Scotland Yard said that it takes such matters "very seriously" and is investigating whether the group of Chelsea fans who are said to have prevented Souleymane from getting on the train can be issued with football banning orders.
The 33-year-old told Le Parisien he initially did not understand the supporters' chants of "We're racist and that's the way we like it" as he does not speak English.
He said: "I understand they were attacking me because of the colour of my skin.
"I live with racism. I was not really surprised by what happened to me, even if it was a first in the subway.
"I intend to talk to anti-racism organisations. These people, these English fans, must be found and punished ... What happened should not go unpunished."
The fans' actions have been condemned around the world after video footage of the incident went viral.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the incident appeared to be "extremely disturbing and very worrying", while TV football pundit and former England captain Gary Lineker described it as "sickening, embarrassing, moronic, disgraceful".
Chelsea fan, finance worker Josh Parsons, 21, who is at the centre of the race storm, faces disciplinary action at work if he is charged over the incident, his boss at Business and Commercial Finance Club in Mayfair said.
Supporters could be heard chanting "We're racist and that's the way we like it" and "Where were you in World War Two?"
It is understood that Mr Parsons was not at work today, Company founder Miranda Khadr told the Press Association, adding that he was "very scared".
There is no suggestion at present that he was involved in the pushing or the chanting, but he could be a vital witness for inquiries being conducted both by the French authorities and Scotland Yard.
A picture also emerged of Mr Parsons posing with Ukip leader Nigel Farage, but the party denied that he is a member and claimed that it has never heard of him.
Earlier today Mr Farage tweeted: "Unlike other party leaders I go out & often take pics with the British public. Obv not everyone is perfect. I don't vet people outside pubs."
A Ukip spokesman said: "Ukip and Mr Farage find the behaviour of the suspected Chelsea fans on the Paris Metro to be disgraceful, and shames both the country and Chelsea Football Club.
"We are delighted that the identities of these people are being revealed, and that they will face the full force of the law."
One supporter, Mitchell McCoy, 17, who was on the train claimed the man was pushed because he was a Paris St Germain (PSG) fan rather than for being black.
The fans were travelling to the Parc des Princes ground for Chelsea's Champions League match against PSG on Tuesday evening, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
British expat Paul Nolan, who filmed the incident, told the Guardian that the group pushed a couple of PSG supporters out of the train before the black man.
He also said the fans threw coins at onlookers on the platform and that he heard one threaten to stab a PSG fan.
A spokesman for the Business and Commercial Finance Club said: "We are utterly opposed to racism in all of its forms and would never tolerate racist conduct among any employee.
"We are investigating the events in Paris and Mr Parsons will not return to work until we have conducted a full and thorough investigation."