TNT Sports
PSG and Basaksehir players take knee during Champions League anthem
By
Published 09/12/2020 at 19:18 GMT
After the Champions League meeting between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was curtailed when the fourth official was alleged to have used racial language towards the Turkish side's assistant manager Pierre Webo, both sets of players made a united stand against racism as they resumed the encounter on Wednesday.
Football players and referees kneel on the pitch against racism before the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Istanbul Basaksehir FK at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, on December 9, 2020
Image credit: Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir players took a knee as the Champions League anthem was played prior to their restarted match.
The match was called off during the first half on Tuesday after the fourth official used a racial epithet to describe the Turkish side's Cameroonian assistant manager Pierre Webo.
With protests led by striker Demba Ba, the visitors walked off the Parc des Princes pitch, with PSG following them, with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Prensel Kimpembe all reported to be particularly supportive.
The visitors refused to finish the game with the offending official still in action, making UEFA's offer to swap him with one of the VARs unworkable.
With the match now taking place on Wednesday with an all-new officiating team, both sets of players warmed up wearing T-Shirts saying "No To Racism" with both club badges above.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2020/12/09/2952230-60600528-2560-1440.jpg)
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar, wearing tshirt reading "No to racism" warm up before the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Istanbul
Image credit: Getty Images
And as the Champions League anthem was played shortly before the restart, there was another show of unity, with both sets of players taking a knee.
Webo was later presented with a PSG shirt by vice-president Nasır al-Halifi.
UEFA has launched an investigation into the incident, with referees bound to the same standards as players with regards to disciplinary action.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement