PSG v Istanbul Basaksehir abandoned as players leave amid accusations of racism



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Paris St-Germain’s Champions League match against Istanbul Basaksehir will resume on Wednesday after it was abandoned on Tuesday with a referee accused of using a racist term towards one of the visiting team’s backroom staff.

Istanbul alleges that fourth official Sebastian Coltescu used the language towards his assistant coach Pierre Webo.

Former Cameroonian international Webo received a red card in an exchange on the touchline.

The Istanbul players left the field in protest, followed by the PSG players.

The incident occurred just 14 minutes into the Group H tie, which was still scoreless.

The match will resume on Wednesday from minute 14. Kick-off will be at 17:55 GMT.

A new group of referees will be in charge, with the Dutch Danny Makkelie appointed referee.

His compatriot Mario Diks and Marcin Boniek from Poland are the assistant referees with another Pole, Bartosch Frankowsky, appointed fourth official.

PSG have already reached the round of 16 after Manchester United’s defeat against RB Leipzig.

In a statement, UEFA said: “UEFA, after discussing it with both clubs, has exceptionally decided that the remaining minutes of the match will be played tomorrow with a new team of referees.

“A full investigation into the incident that took place will be opened immediately.”

On the touchline, Istanbul striker Demba Ba, who was a substitute, could be seen asking the referee: “Why, when you mention a black man, do you have to say this black man?”

Television footage also showed PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe saying: “Are you serious? We’re heading. We’re heading. That’s it, we’re going.”

A wait of about two hours followed before official confirmation that the game would not end on Tuesday. During that period, PSG players could be seen warming up in the tunnel awaiting a restart, but their opponents did not resurface.

PSG striker Kylian Mbappé later tweeted

: “Say no to racism. Webo are with you.”

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, said he believed UEFA would “take the necessary measures.”

“We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sport and in all areas of life,” he wrote on Twitter.

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