Say to Racism Demba Ba is the Real Hero
Paris St-Germain’s Champions League game against Istanbul Basaksehir will resume on Wednesday after Demba Ba raised a racist allegation against one of the match officials. Istanbul alleges fourth official Sebastian Coltescu used a racist language towards their assistant coach Pierre Webo.
Former Cameroon international Webo was shown a red card in an exchange on the touchline. Istanbul players walked off the pitch in protest, with PSG players following. The incident happened just 14 minutes into the Group H game and it was still goalless at the time it was suspended.
The match will recommence on Wednesday from the 14th minute. Kick-off will be at 17:55 GMT. A new set of officials will be in charge, with Dutchman Danny Makkelie appointed referee.
Compatriot Mario Diks and Marcin Boniek of Poland are the assistant referees with another Pole, Bartosch Frankowsky, named fourth official.
Paris Saint Germain are already through to the last 16 after Manchester United loss to RB Leipzig 3-2. In a statement, Uefa said: “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.
“A thorough investigation of the incident that took place will be opened immediately.”Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba was the one who really took the case up. He was seen on the touchline asking the official: “Why, when you mention a black guy, do you have to say this black guy?”
TV footage also showed PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe saying: “Is he serious? We are heading in. We’re heading in. That’s it, we’re heading in.”
France forward Kylian Mbappe took to his social media handle to tweet: “Say no to racism. Webo we are with you.” Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, said he believed Uefa would “take the necessary steps”.
“We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sports and in all areas of life,” he wrote on Twitter. Demba Ba also said until the whites rise to take deliberate actions against the other whites encouraging racism, it will not end and until blacks start standing for themselves racism fight cannot be won.