Champions League: PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir - Match abandoned after players walk off pitch due to alleged racist incident

Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League group game with Istanbul Basaksehir was abandoned on Tuesday night following an alleged racist incident.

Champions League: PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir. Match abandoned due to alleged racism. Photo: @PSG

Basaksehir’s players walked down the tunnel midway through the first half amid claims the fourth official, Sebastian Coltescu, had used racist language.

Pierre Webo, Basaksehir’s assistant manager, was sent off and it is claimed he was subjected to racist abuse by Coltescu.

The former Newcastle and Chelsea striker Demba Ba led the Turkish side’s protests before the decision to leave the pitch at the Parc des Princes.

Tonight’s match between @PSG_English and @ibfk2014 was interrupted after 13 minutes of play following racist remarks by the fourth official to a member of the Basaksehir club staff.

The match will be replayed on Wednesday at 6:55 pm (CET) 📅#PSGIBFK https://t.co/an7ljdCmM9
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 8, 2020

Ba vociferously questioned the official over his choice of language when referring to players before being ushered away.

Basaksehir’s entire team then walked down the tunnel and were followed by their PSG counterparts.

The match was duly suspended for more than an hour before the Turkish side tweeted their players would not be returning.

The club posted on Twitter: “Our players has taken a decision NOT TO go back on the pitch after our Assistant Coach, Pierre Webo has been exposed to racist behaviour by the fourth official.”

✊🏻✊🏿 NO TO RACISM | #Respect pic.twitter.com/Ic1BzfANoi
— İstanbul Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) December 8, 2020

#ThisIsIstanbul Başakşehir!

✊🏿 𝑩𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒌𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒎! pic.twitter.com/TeVcKc5np2
— İstanbul Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) December 9, 2020

UEFA confirmed soon after that the fixture would be completed on Wednesday following consultation with both clubs.

The governing body said: “Following an incident at tonight’s UEFA Champions League match between Paris St Germain FC and Istanbul Basaksehir FK, UEFA has – after discussion with both clubs – decided on an exceptional basis to have the remaining minutes of the match played tomorrow with a new team of match officials. The kick-off has been set at 18:55 CET (5.55pm UK time).

UEFA has - after discussion with both clubs – decided on an exceptional basis to have the remaining minutes of the match played tomorrow with a new team of match officials. The kick-off has been set at 18:55 CET.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 8, 2020

“A thorough investigation on the incident that took place will be opened immediately.”

UEFA is aware of an incident during tonight’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir and will be conducting a thorough investigation.

Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football.
#NoToRacism
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 8, 2020

It had been goalless at the time of the incident with the result still having some bearing on the final positions in Group H. talkSPORT