PSG’s Mbappé proud of the teams for leaving in protest



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Both groups of players and match officials knelt around the center circle during the Champions League anthem.

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé said he was proud that his teammates and Istanbul Basaksehir players came off the pitch during the Champions League tie on Tuesday night.

The match was abandoned at 0-0 after the fourth official was accused of using a racist term towards Basaksehir’s assistant, Pierre Webo.

Players knelt around the center circle before Wednesday’s restart.

“We are tired, we do not want to go through this again,” Mbappé said.

“Of course, I am proud of what was done. We were not disappointed not to play. We made that decision. We are proud.

“Many things were said but, in fact, there is nothing better than stocks.”

Mbappé scored twice after the match resumed in the 14th minute, and PSG were left with comfortable 5-1 winners.

Webo, who had been expelled, was allowed to take his place in the visitors’ bench, with his red card suspended while Uefa investigates the incident.

Basaksehir’s coach Okan Buruk said: “The referee should have taken care of the situation, but he didn’t and we had to show that we were with Webo.

“The decision was made by the players. Some wanted to get back on the field, but we stuck together as a team and it was ultimately a team decision.

“We show the whole world that we are united.”

Winger Nacer Chadli, who came on as a substitute for Wednesday’s game, told the BBC’s world soccer program: “We are in 2020 now and that kind of incident is very painful for all of us.

“I felt very sad, like the rest of the players in the dressing room. That hurt us deeply because we love football and we were there to play a game and something happened that we did not expect.

“We were talking and at times it was very quiet. We wanted to make a decision: we all go out together or if one or two want to stay, we don’t go out, we just have to stick together. “

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel backed his players.

“They made a strong decision, they stayed with the other team and they made a brave decision,” he said.

“In the dressing room it was clear that they wanted to show that reaction.”

Midfielder Marco Verratti added: “It was difficult for everyone, for us on the pitch, for everyone who watched the game, it was something that shouldn’t happen.

“We should be an example, especially since millions of people follow us.

“That’s why we made a strong gesture and decided, with the other team, not to play.”

A new group of officials took over on Wednesday, with Dutchman Danny Makkelie appointed referee.

Both players and referees, who also knelt during the Champions League anthem, wore “no to racism” jerseys in the warm-up, with anti-racism banners in the stands.

Neymar
Neymar scored three and won a penalty in PSG’s victory

When the match restarted, Neymar starred in his third Champions hat-trick.

He opened the scoring by driving a defender crazy and heading home, before finishing off a fast break and landing his third from 20 yards.

Mbappé scored twice, including a penalty won for a foul on Neymar.

Mehmet Topal scored the goal for Basaksehir.

PSG’s victory means they lead the group ahead of RB Leipzig, who qualified and eliminated Manchester United with a 3-2 win over the English side on Tuesday.

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