DEMBA BA has accused Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel of ‘blaming’ Istanbul Basaksehir stars after both sides walked off during their Champions League clash last week.
Play was halted in the 14th minute, as fourth official Sebastian Coltescu sought to bring Pierre Webo, 38, to the referee’s attention.
Play was halted after alleged racism from Sebastian ColtescuCredit: AFP or licensors
Thomas Tuchel has been accused of ‘blaming’ Istanbul Basaksehir starsCredit: AFP or licensors
Ba has spoken further on the incident in an interview with TRT World
In doing so, he used the Romanian word ‘negru’, meaning black – with the nearby Ba taking issue with the official’s choice of words.
After lengthy discussions, PSG players united with their Turkish counterparts to take a stand against the alleged racism, by walking off together.
But according to Ba, 35, the French champions’ manager wasn’t so supportive.
The former Chelsea star told TRT World: “Hats off to Basaksehir players because they felt something had to be done.
“Hats off to the players of PSG because they could have stayed on the pitch and said ‘we are here to play and they’re not’ but they decided to stop.
“One element of Paris that I wish was in front of the camera and explained is how he (Tuchel) treated us because I don’t accept this.
“I will never accept this and the next time I see him he will hear about it.”
Quizzed further on what he meant by these comments, Ba clarified: “Their manager. I’m not going to go into it but he probably will.
“He had one or two discussions with players of our team and was basically blaming us for what happened. That’s his problem, not mine.”
The match was resumed the next dayCredit: Reuters
The match was continued to completion the next day, with PSG running out 5-1 winners to progress to the round of 16.
Coltescu, 43, had appeared set for a ten-game ban from Uefa.
But the Romanian, who has denied being a racist, appears likely to dodge the punishment – by retiring from officiating.
Istanbul Basaksehir’s Pierre Webo given a special jersey by PSG’s president
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
