Tuesday's Champions League Matchday 6 fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir in France has been postponed until Wednesday after members of both teams walked out in solidarity over an alleged racist incident that occurred during the game involving Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo and a fourth official.
UEFA has released the following statement:
"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. A thorough investigation on the incident that took place will be opened immediately."
Scenes out of Tuesday's match showed Basaksehir's Demba Ba immediately coming to the defense of his assistant coach pleading with officials to "listen to him." Here's a look at the players walking off:
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
It was yet another example of players constantly having to navigate the unnecessary weight of educating on racism while simply trying to coexist within their professional settings. It was a heartbreaking reminder that work against racism is never done, and that it is simply not enough to not use racist language, but to be anti-racist in the face of all forms of racism -- whether they blatant or passive.
Listen below and subscribe to ¡Qué Golazo! A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast where we provide additional coverage on Tuesday's incident in Paris and the rest of the Champions League previews, recaps and more.
In response to the moment, the two teams came together and made the decision to walk off the pitch leading to the match's suspension. After the dust settled, players posted additional messages of support to Webo in light of the incident.
SAY NO TO RACISM. ❌❌❌
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 8, 2020
M.WEBO WE ARE WITH YOU. ✊🏽
BLACK LIVES MATTER ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/Y6114EFMFO
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) December 8, 2020
NO ❌✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/Z3WIbgCFgi
— Presnel Kimpembe (@kimpembe_3) December 8, 2020
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.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 8, 2020
Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football.
#NoToRacism
Protect Demba Ba ✊🏾 https://t.co/TVTgBjxixa
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) December 8, 2020
LOUD & CLEAR ✊🏾 https://t.co/0VQVplti4D
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) December 8, 2020
Webo 💪🏾 #Notoracism
— Çağlar Söyüncü (@Syncaglar) December 8, 2020
We strongly support and stand with Pierre Webo#NoToRacism ✊🏿✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/8CckHVr6mX
— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) December 8, 2020