Racially abused Paris commuter willing to speak to Chelsea supporters

Souleymane Sylla, the black man who was prevented from boarding a Paris Metro train by Chelsea supporters, is keeping an open mind.

On Tuesday, in conversation with the BBC, Sylla admitted he will speak with those who identify themselves as Blues fans despite the racial abuse he suffered almost one year ago to the day.

When Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain clashed in the knockout phase of the 2014-15 Champions League, the Guardian published a video of Sylla being kept from boarding a Paris Metro train at the Richelieu-Drouot stop as Chelsea supporters chanted "we're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it." The clubs have coincidentally been drawn against each other in the competition's round of 16 for a second consecutive year, and the sales manager will be attending the first leg of the tie at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

Related: Anti-racism groups suggest welcome committee for Chelsea fans arriving in Paris

"If Chelsea fans want to speak to me I'll speak to them - they're people after all," Sylla said, according to the Press Association.

Reflecting on the incident, Sylla added: "Listen, my wounds have once again opened. I feel better, but it's a matter of working with them. You know, the problem is that I am wounded, and my family are hurt too. Imagine that you have a seven-year-old child who is growing up with racism - it's really bad.

"Even though I grew up with racism I can get over it, but my son - when he speaks with others at school he comes home and says to us: 'Dad, the kids at school made fun of me because they said my dad was pushed.' What does that put inside their heads? I find that really bad."

Sylla has yet to accept Chelsea's open invitation of visiting Stamford Bridge. He still goes to the doctor once a week because he thinks about the racial abuse and only started using the Paris Metro again two weeks ago.