Racism: Basaksehir-PSG Champions League clash postponed over alleged racial abuse by official

Tuesday’s Champions League meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was stopped from play when the Turkish side stormed off the field early in the first half, alleging that the club’s assistant coach had been racially abused by the fourth official.

Basaksehir’s players refused to continue playing, and after a short spell inactive on the pitch decided to retreat to the dressing rooms in protest.

Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe would later respond on Twitter, expressing solidarity with their Turkish oppponents.

UEFA released a statement on the incident, saying: “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.”

The match was eventually postponed, set to resume on Wednesday at 6:55pm local time from the 14th minute, with the score at 0-0. In a statement, UEFA said the game would resume with new match officials.

There will be a third season-long UEFA men’s football club competition for the first time in more than 20 years next season.

“Following an incident at tonight’s UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-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,” UEFA said.

Webo and his club accused the fourth official of racial abuse in how he identified the Basaksehir assistant to the match referee.

The group stage will start on October 20/21, 2020 with the final taking place in Istanbul on May 29, 2021.

August 8-11:Preliminary round
August 18/19: First qualifying round
August 25/26: Second qualifying round
September 15/16: Third qualifying round
September 22/23 & 29/30: Play-offs
October 20/21: Group stage matchday 1
October 27/28: Group stage matchday 2
November 3/4: Group stage matchday 3
November 24/25: Group stage matchday 4
December 1/2: Group stage matchday 5
December 8/9: Group stage matchday 6
February 16/17, 2021: Round of 16
April 6/14, 2021: Quarter-finals
April 17 & May 5, 2021: Semi-finals
May 29, 2021: Final