The game between PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended after just seventeen minutes due to an alleged racist incident that forced both teams to walk off the pitch.
According to the words shared by Istanbul's players, fourth referee Sebastian Coltescu urged Ovidiu Hategan to send off a member of the team's staff by using a racial slur. The member in question was none other than former footballer Pierre Webó, who furiously accused Coltescu of referring to him to as "the black man." Webo's complaints were backed by striker Demba Ba, who also asked Coltescu about his choice of words when referring to Webó.
PSG players led by Kylian Mbappé and Neymar approached the bench to try and get an idea on what was going on. As soon as they found out what was happening, they decided to support any decision made by the Turkish side, and when Istanbul's players decided to leave the pitch, Neymar and Mbappé asked their teammates to join the protest and leave the pitch themselves.
Moments after the incident, the team's Twitter feed was quick to mock UEFA's slogan, asking UEFA officers to take action against the fourth referee.
NO TO RACISM | #Respect pic.twitter.com/Ic1BzfANoi
— İstanbul Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) December 8, 2020
Footage of Demba Bá having words with the ref made headlines around the world.
Demba Ba voicing his displeasure with the official in Paris.#PSGIBFK #UCL
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) December 8, 2020
pic.twitter.com/ttX41VbFQs
After almost ten minutes of arguing on the sidelines, all players decided to leave the pitch.
PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir has been suspended following an alleged racist incident involving the 4th official towards Istanbul's assistant manager. pic.twitter.com/mLIkZiPK7u
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) December 8, 2020
The game was supposed to re-start when the second half was scheduled to begin, but Istanbul players have reportedly refused to play the game if referee Sebastian Coltescu had something to do with the game.