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The racism scandal in which the Romanian referee Sebastian Colțescu is involved crosses the borders of sport and has a diplomatic scope, determining reactions at the political level, even from some high-level politicians. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself reacted on Twitter on Tuesday evening after Romanian referee Sebastian Colţescu was accused of racism in the match between PSG and Istanbul Bașakșehir in Group H of the UEFA Champions League. The Turkish Foreign Minister, as well as the sports ministers of Turkey and France, where the position is held by a former Romanian athlete, condemned such behavior.
The match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir was interrupted in min. 16, 0-0, due to racist statements by the fourth official, Romanian Sebastian Colţescu, who would have referred to the second coach of the Turkish team, former Cameroonian striker Pierre Achille Webo, using the words “That black”.
“I strongly condemn the racist comments made against Pierre Webo, one of the coaching staff of the Başakşehir team, and I believe that UEFA will take the necessary measures. We are unconditional against racism and discrimination in sport and in all areas of the life. #Nurasism, “wrote Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter.
Istanbul Başakșehir is the favorite soccer team of the President of Turkey, Recep Erdogan.
Other reactions in Turkey. The chancellor salutes the “honorable attitude” of the Turkish team
Minister of Youth and Sports of Turkey, Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu, He was the first to post a message on Twitter, shortly after PSG – Istanbul BB substitute referee Sebastian Colţescu was accused of racism. “Racism is a crime against humanity! We stand with our representative, Başakşehir,” he wrote.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister also praised on Twitter the “honorable attitude” of Başakşehir’s team, which left the field after the racist incident. “No racism!” He added. Mevlut Cavusoglu.
In turn, the three big clubs in Turkey, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce vs Beşiktaş, expressed his solidarity and sent on Twitter that they are against racism and that they support Cameroonian Webo, the second coach of the Turkish champion, a victim of racist abuse.
Reactions in Paris. Roxana Mărăcineanu, French Minister of Sports: An ordinary racism!
Delegate Minister of Sports in France, former Romanian swimmer Roxana Mărăcineanu, He also reacted on Twitter on Tuesday night, expressing his gratitude for the gesture of the Turkish and French footballers, who chose to leave the field due to an attitude that reflects “ordinary racism.”
“Tonight, the athletes made a historic decision in the face of an attitude that they considered unacceptable. An expression of common racism. We are awaiting the results of the investigation, but I can only salute the strong symbolism of his gesture and his solidarity, ”wrote Roxana Mărăcineanu.
In turn, one of the stars of the Paris Saint-Germain team, the French striker Kylian MbappéA witness to the incident, wrote on Twitter after the suspension of the Paris party: “Say no to racism. M. Webo, we are with you. “
The French defender Presnel Kimpembe, who was also in the field, posted a tweet with the message “No to racism.”
In recent years, UEFA has produced a video to draw attention to the issue of racism, and many football stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have joined the “No to Racism” campaign. , informs Agerpres.
The film of the events at the Parc des Princes stadium
The match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir was interrupted on Tuesday night in min. 16, 0-0, due to a scandal in which the substitute referee, the Romanian Sebastian Colţescu, was involved. The Istanbul team’s assistant coach, former Cameroon forward Pierre Achille Webo, accused him of using a racist tone towards him.
According to AFP, Sebastian Colţescu asked him in min. 16 for Ovidiu Haţegan, the central referee, to intervene to calm down Webo, who had been too vehement with his decision. Colţescu identified the second coach of the Turkish team with the term “that black”, and Haţegan showed the red card to the former Cameroonian forward.
Webo protested, and Franco-Senegalese forward Demba Ba (substitute), a former Chelsea player but now in the Istanbul team, stepped down from the stands and accused Coltescu of racism, reproaching him for referring to skin color. Webo and asked him if he would do the same and if it was the case of a white person, reported AFP.
PSG players, including Neymar, Mbabbe and Marquinhos, also came to ask for explanations on the field. After several minutes of discussions, the squad of the Turkish champion and her players, followed by those of the PSG team, decided to leave the field.
Subsequently, the president of the Turkish champion stated that his team will not resume the match if the fourth official (Sebastian Colţescu) is not removed from the field.
“The fourth official said ‘black’ in front of the whole world! If the fourth official is removed from the field, we will resume play. If he stays on the field, Başakşehir will not resume the match, “Goksel Gumusdag told TRT Spor.
UEFA conducts “in-depth” investigation
The European Football Union confirmed this Tuesday night that the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir, in Group H of the Champions League, was suspended in min. 16, with the score 0-0, due to the racist statements of the Romanian reserve referee Sebastian Colţescu, will resume on Wednesday, with other referees.
“Following an incident in tonight’s UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Istanbul Başakşehir FK, UEFA has exceptionally decided, following discussions with both clubs, that the remaining minutes will be played tomorrow (Wednesday , n ed.), with a new team of officers. The start time was set for 18:55 CET (19:55 in Romania), “the statement showed.
Regardless of the result, the French are guaranteed tickets to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The continental forum also announced that a “comprehensive” investigation into the incident would be launched immediately.
FRF awaits UEFA report
“The Romanian Football Federation took note of what happened in the Champions League match, PSG – Istanbul Başakşehir, a match interrupted in the 14th minute, following an incident involving Sebastian Colţescu, fourth official of the match. The match failed continued and UEFA will analyze the incident. The Romanian Football Federation is awaiting the report from the Nyon forum to find out exactly what happened and act accordingly! The Romanian Football Federation firmly delimits itself from any racist or xenophobic actions or statements! ”, It is shown in a statement from FRF.
Central Ovidiu Hațegan, indirect protagonist of the scandal
Ovidiu Haţegan was the central referee for the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir, scheduled at the Parc des Princes, in Group H. The assistant referees were named Octavian Şovre and Sebastian Gheorghe, and the fourth official was Sebastian Colţescu. The video referee was Italian Marco Di Bello, and his compatriot Maurizio Mariani was the video assistant referee.
So far, Haţegan has refereed the matches Dinamo Kiev – Juventus 0-2 (October 20), Atlético de Madrid – RB Salzburg 3-2 (October 27), Atalanta – Liverpool 0-5 (November 3), Manchester United – Istanbul Başakşehir 4-1 (November 24) and Shakhtar Donetsk – Real Madrid 1-0 (December 1), being the first Romanian referee to lead matches in all six group stages in a Champions League season.
As for the protagonist of the scandal, referee Sebastian Colțescu, was involved in several scandals related to his performances in League 1 matches, and last year, the 43-year-old from Craiova was demoted to UEFA in the fourth category of referees. Europeans, write digisport.ro.
Editor: Luana Pavaluca
