PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 08: Pierre-Achille Webo of Istanbul talks with referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan during the confusion following an alleged incident between Istanbul Basaksehir assistant manager Pierre Achille Webo and the 4th official Sebastian Coltescu during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir at Parc des Princes on December 8, 2020 in Paris, France.

UEFA launches investigation after official accused of racist remark

5 years ago
Xavier Laine / Getty Images Sport / Getty

UEFA launched a disciplinary investigation after the fourth official in Tuesday's Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was accused of racism.

"An ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding the incident and the events that led to the UEFA Champions League group match between Paris St-Germain-İstanbul Basaksehir being abandoned," read a statement from the European football governing body.

The Champions League fixture in Paris was abandoned after Istanbul Basaksehir accused Romanian referee Sebastian Coltescu of racial abuse.

The incident took place 14 minutes into the contest when Coltescu allegedly used a racist term to identify Istanbul Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo, who was subsequently shown a red card by the match official.

Coltescu is said to have made the comment in his native language when he, according to Reuters, referred to Webo as, "The black one over there."

Former Chelsea star Demba Ba was one of the more outspoken players at the time of the incident, with cameras capturing the Istanbul Basaksehir substitute demanding Coltescu explain himself.

After discussing for roughly 10 minutes, both sets of players agreed to walk off the pitch in protest.

With the players unwilling to come back, UEFA announced the Group H match would resume Wednesday with a new officiating crew.

UEFA has also said that Webo's red card is "frozen" amid the investigation.

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