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The Champions League duel between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was canceled on Tuesday evening when both groups of players were eliminated after the fourth official Sebastian Coltescu was accused of racism.
The Group H encounter was cut midway through the first half after Pierre Webo, Basaksehir’s black assistant manager, protested a decision on the contact line.
When the referee came by, the footage appeared to show Coltescu identifying Webo by saying, “The black guy over there. Go check out who he is. That black guy over there, it’s not possible to do that. ‘
Coltescu is believed to have said ‘negru’, the Romanian word for black.
An angry webo heard this and immediately accused Coltescu of racism. He had to be held back by other coaches as he was shown a red card. According to French outlet RMC Sport, Webo’s red card has since been banned by UEFA and he can stand on the contact line for the rescheduled match on Wednesday if he so wishes.
Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba, a replacement for the Turkish side, stormed towards Coltescu to ask why he had used the word to identify Webo.
He said, ‘You never say “that white guy”, you say “that guy” so why, when you mention him … listen to me … why, when you mention a black guy, why do you say “that black guy” . ‘
Coltescu is a top referee in Romania but is set to officiate in his final European campaign after being demoted by FIFA.
Last night he apologized and said, “Sorry for the misunderstanding. My intention was never racism.
“In such an environment, people sometimes cannot express their feelings properly and are misunderstood. I apologize on behalf of the UEFA Champions League. I hope you understand.’
Pierre Webo (right), Basaksehir’s assistant manager, was furious when the fourth official allegedly identified him as “the black guy over there”
Fourth officer Sebastian Coltescu (above) was accused of using the word “negru” – Romanian for “black” – to identify Webo
PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir players gather around fourth official Sebastian Coltescu, whose words were recorded by microphones in the empty Parc des Princes
In a conversation with relatives that took place in the Romanian media on Wednesday morning, Coltescu defended his character.
“I’m just trying to be good,” he said, according to the Romanian outlet ProSport. “I won’t read any news pages for the next few days. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not racist! At least that’s what I hope. ‘
A UEFA investigation was opened following the postponement of the game at Parc des Princes as both groups of players refused to resume midway through the first half.
While there is little precedent for a civil servant to be handed a 10-game ban, UEFA said in a statement that “a thorough investigation will be launched immediately” and that Coltescu has the prospect of a 10-game ban if found guilty of using racist language on the line of contact.
Article 3 of the UEFA Disciplinary Rules mentions both match officers and players – which means that they can be penalized by the Board of Directors for violations.
Article 14 of the UEFA Code would be used to punish the officer if found guilty following the ongoing investigation.
Players and staff from both teams interfered and the Turkish side left the pitch after talking to referee Ovidiu Hategan for around 10 minutes.
TV footage also showed PSG’s French defender Presnel Kimpembe saying, “Is he serious? We go in. We go in. That’s it, we’re going in. ‘
PSG stars Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Marquinhos were spotted on the contact line talking to Coltescu. Basaksehir’s coach Okan Buruk Coltescu could be heard shouting, “You are racist”.
PSG players immediately followed their Turkish counterparts down the tunnel and the game at Parc des Princes was interrupted 0-0.
After a long delay, the game was abandoned and the remaining minutes will now be played on Wednesday at 6:55 p.m. local time with a new team of referees under the direction of Dutchman Danny Makkelie.
Istanbul Basaksehir then said on Twitter: “Our players have decided NOT to return to the field after our assistant coach Pierre Webo was subjected to racist behavior by the 4th Official.”
There was speculation that the game would resume at 10pm local time, but the PSG players had to wait in the tunnel for the Turkish side.
Basaksehir players reportedly refused to restart if Coltescu continued to participate in the game as a VAR (Video Assistant Referee), meaning he would have continued to make important decisions off the contact line.
A new fourth officer on the line of contact would have asked Coltescu to continue as a VAR with UEFA rules that require two officers to be in the video verification area. However, there was no one to fill the role.
Basaksehir staff heard the fourth official’s comment and immediately turned against the Romanian term “negru,” which means black and was recorded by microphones
Basaksehir substitute Demba Ba demonstrated against referee Ovidiu Hategan during Tuesday night’s break, watched by PSG players Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom supported the protest
PSG’s sporting director Leonardo and Basaksehir’s head coach Okan Buruk were among those joining the Touchline franchise
An angry Webo is led away from the contact line by an agent in Basaksehir’s back room
Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba (above in jacket) – a replacement for Basaksehir – was furious and confronted the officials
Both players then left the field and returned to the locker room to protest together
Demba Ba and Marquinhos planned for both teams to go back onto the field hand in hand. However, some Basaksehir players were against the idea and were later seen leaving the stadium and getting on the team bus to return to their base for the evening.
A later statement by UEFA said: “Following an incident during today’s UEFA Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir, UEFA decided after talks with both clubs to play the remaining minutes of the game tomorrow with a new one Team of match officers.
‘Kick-off has been set at 18:55 CET. A thorough investigation of the incident will be initiated immediately. ‘
Basaksehir players on the team train back to their hotel. The game will now be concluded on Wednesday with a different group of officials
Parc des Princes Stadium staff remove the goal posts at one end of the pitch after play has been stopped
Within minutes of the incident, Basaksehir’s Twitter feed posted an image of UEFA’s “No To Racism” campaign.
Mbappe later wrote ‘Say no to racism. XXX M.WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU ‘while Neymar tweeted a picture of himself and wrote’ BLACK LIVES MATTER ‘.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter that he believes UEFA will take the necessary steps.
“We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sport and in all areas of life,” he wrote.
Within minutes of the incident, Basaksehir posted an image from UEFA’s No To Racism campaign
Kylian Mbappe later sent a message of support to Basaksehir’s deputy manager
Neymar, one of the leaders of the protests, tweeted a picture of himself and wrote: “BLACK LIVES MATTER”
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