Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir walked off the pitch in the early stages of last night’s Uefa Champions League match after an official directed a racist comment at the Turkish club's assistant coach, Pierre Webo.

The incident occurred roughly 15 minutes into the match when Webo, who is a former Cameroonian international, was shown a red card by referee Ovidiu Hategan. Reports suggest that the match’s fourth official, Sebastian Coltescu of Romania, used the word “negro” to point out Webo to the referee, who had asked who should be sent off.

Upon hearing about the comment, Istanbul substitute Demba Ba approached Coltescu, demanding he explain himself. Ba asked the fourth official to explain why he used “black” as a descriptor for Webo, when he more than likely would not have used “white” to describe a player. Neymar and Kylian Mbappé of PSG joined Ba in confronting the official, while Basaksehir coach Okan Buruk reportedly told Coltescu, "You are racist."

In a strong and unified stance against what happened, players from both Istanbul Basaksehir and PSG left the pitch at Parc des Princes. Officials suggested the match restart with a different fourth official after a brief intermission, though it was later decided by Uefa that the game would commence on Wednesday with a new team of referees.

UEFA issued the below statement following the incident.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Following the postponement of the game, the players involved and members of the footballing community spoke out against the incident and racism in any form. Read through some of the responses below.

Mbappé and Neymar took a strong stance immediately after the game was postponed

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

And their fellow PSG teammates also made statements

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Demba Ba was most vocal on the pitch

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Raheem Sterling, a vocal activist, also shared his thoughts

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

And a host of other players, pundits, and journalists joined in

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
We Recommend
  • Vive Nike! The Swoosh Takes Gold at the Paris Games
    • Style
    • sponsored
  • Stephane Ashpool and Corona Just Threw Paris' Hottest Parties
    • Lifestyle
    • sponsored
  • From the podium to the Pompidou, Nike dominates the Paris Games
    • Culture
    • sponsored
  • Even the Athletes’ Watches Are Olympics-Tier at Paris 2024
    • Watches
  • Akwaba! Champion x Highsnobiety x La Sunday Is a Full-On Fashion Fête
    • Culture
    • sponsored
What To Read Next
  • Jaden Smith’s Harper Collective Isn’t Playing Around
    • Culture
  • WTAPS' New Balance Dad Shoe Is Wonderfully Minimalist
    • Sneakers
  • Nike's Effortless Barn Coat? Swoosh Workwear Does It Again
    • Style
  • Dressed in Denim & Corduroy, Nike Dunks Dream of Being Pants
    • Sneakers
  • ASICS' All-New Dad Shoe Is Made for Hiking
    • Sneakers
  • Only the Best for Jordan's Finest Frankenstein Sneaker
    • Sneakers