SWEDEN’S game away to Romania was stopped over racist abuse directed at Alexander Isak from home supporters.
The striker described the abuse as “incredibly sad.”
Sweden’s game with Romania was stopped after Alexander Isak was racially abused by fansCredit: AP:Associated Press
The referee called the game to a halt to go through step one of the Uefa protocol in the latest sickening incident of racism in football.
Isak, 20, was then booed whenever he got the ball from home supporters – as Sweden ran out 2-0 winners.
The win saw the Swedes qualify for Euro 2020 – but the celebrations were marred over the abuse aimed at youngster Isak.
Despite the abuse, Isak failed to retaliate and bravely played on.
The striker later led Swedish fans in song after the victory.
He said after the game: “I just asked the referee if he heard anything. A couple of minutes later he paused the match and said he had heard something.
“He asked me ‘shall I stop the game?’. I said no, you don’t need to do that.
“Racist words, things that shouldn’t happen. It’s incredibly sad.”
Swedish skipper Andreas Granqvist added: “The referee was really good, really strong. He said to Isak ‘let me know if it happens again and I’ll stop the match’.
“We finished the rest of the match to avoid that and celebrate on the pitch.”
The referee halted the match according to step one of Uefa protocolCredit: EPA
Emil Forsberg told the Swedish press: “They [Romanian players]) say they [didn’t] hear it, because it’s not against them.
“It is incredibly boring. Isak is strong to say [something].
“It should not happen, it is incredibly regrettable. I think they know it deep down.
“I talked to Iak during the match, I asked if everything was OK and that was it.
“We try to be there for him. There is a shadow over this, it should not happen.
“It’s football, unfortunately it does.
“We do something about it, that’s the important thing.
“It is regrettable.”
Isak would later lead Swedish fans in song after a 2-0 victoryCredit: Getty – Contributor
It’s just the latest in a long line of racist incidents in football, this season alone.
England were horrendously subjected to racial abuse during their trip to Bulgaria last month – with the hosts given a mere two-game partial stadium ban.
A host of Bulgarian thugs were arrested for making Nazi salutes and making monkey noises at the likes of Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings.
Mario Balotelli was then abused by Hellas Verona fans during during their clash with Brescia.
Brescia supporters then incredibly blamed their own player for his “arrogance”.
Everton are also investigating the racial abuse of Son Heung-min during their recent Premier League clash.
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford and Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma have also been sickeningly abused this season.
And it’s not just big games marred by racism either, with Haringey Borough players walking off the pitch after being subjected to abuse.
Shakhtar Donetsk star Taison shockingly sent off for reacting to racial abuse by showing middle finger and kicking ball at fans
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
