DEMBA BA led Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain off the pitch in protest after his assistant manager Pierre Webo was allegedly racially abused by the fourth official.
The Group H encounter was suspended midway through a goalless first half after allegations were made against Romanian Sebastian Coltescu.
Demba Ba was furious at reportedly hearing Webo called ‘that black guy’Credit: AFP or licensors
Istanbul’s assistant manager Webo alleges he was referred to as ‘negru’, meaning ‘black’ in RomanianCredit: Reuters
Webo starts to question Coltescu, pictured far left, for his alleged choice of languageCredit: Reuters
Istanbul demanded Coltescu was replaced as fourth officialCredit: EPA
The official was accused of racial abuse
After a long delay at Parc des Princes, the game was eventually abandoned with Istanbul saying that the players took the decision not to return after Webo had ‘been exposed to racist behaviour’.
It will now be resumed on Wednesday evening with a new refereeing team in charge.
Cameroonian Webo was initially shown a red card, in the 16th minute, by referee Ovidiu Hategan after he was singled out by Coltescu for saying something out of turn from the bench.
It was then that an incensed Ba, a substitute on the night, confronted the official, with Istanbul later alleging in a tweet that a ‘racist word’ was said to Webo.
The former Chelsea striker could be heard saying: “You never say ‘this white guy’, you say ‘this guy’, so why when you’re mentioning him… listen to me… why when you mention a black guy, why do you say ‘this black guy’.”
Demba Ba was refusing to let the matter lieCredit: EPA
Webo was visibly upset at what he believes was said to himCredit: EPA
Players from both teams then walked off the pitch in protestCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
In video that has since emerged, Webo appears to be heard asking the official why he said ‘negru’, which is Romanian for black.
As players come together in an attempt to defuse the situation, Basaksehir coach Okan Buruk could be heard yelling ‘you are racist’ to Coltescu.
As things became more heated on the sidelines, players from both teams walked off in protest.
It is understood the Istanbul players insisted they would not return if Coltescu was still officiating, with Basaksehir club president reportedly telling Turkish TV: “If the fourth referee who is racist stays on the field, we will not play”.
According to French outlet RMC, Demba Ba and PSG star Marquinhos initially planned for both teams to walk back out onto the pitch ‘holding hands’.
PSG superstar Neymar keeps his team-mates in the lopp about what is happeningCredit: AP:Associated Press
Istanbul’s players look visibly shocked at what has happened on the pitchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But in the end as the clock ticked past 10pm, Istanbul’s players decided they would NOT return to the pitch and were seen heading to their team bus.
PSG icon Mbappe later posted on Twitter “SAY NO TO RACISM. M.WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU”.
Mbappe’s team-mate Neymar uploaded a picture of himself and wrote “BLACK LIVES MATTER”.
While Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on Twitter: “We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sports and in all areas of life.”
Uefa confirmed they are investigating the incident, saying in a statement: “Following an alleged incident involving the fourth official, the match was temporarily suspended.
“Uefa will thoroughly investigate the matter and further communication will be made in due course.”
Holland’s Danny Makkelie will be the man in the middle on the resumption of the tie, at 5:55pm on Wednesday, with PSG needing a win to get top spot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
