Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir staged an unprecedented joint walk-out over alleged racism by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/uefa-champions-league">Champions League</a> match official on Tuesday, prompting UEFA to suspend the game and launch an investigation.

Both teams left the pitch after a lengthy touchline row which erupted when the Romanian fourth official, Sebastian Coltescu, appeared to describe Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo, the former Cameroon international, as "black", or "negru" in Romanian.

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The group game in Paris, which was goalless at the time, was suspended and will resume where it left off, in the 14th minute, on Wednesday, with a different set of match officials.

Many athletes have taken a strong stand against racism since Black Lives Matter protests flared around the world over the death of George Floyd during his arrest in Minneapolis in May.

PSG striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted, "Say no to racism", while team-mate Neymar posted, "Black Lives Matter". Both players were prominent in the heated discussions on the touchline.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is understood to be close to Basaksehir's owners, tweeted that he "strongly condemn(s) the racist remarks", while Romanian-born French sports minister Roxanna Maracineanu praised the players' "historic decision".

Basaksehir midfielder Giuliano told Brazilian media: "(The comment) was very clear, many people heard, including our coach. It was disgraceful.

"As a team and a group, we decided to protest because that is unacceptable. Racism has to end."

The row blew up after Webo was shown a red card. Television microphones in the empty Parc des Princes stadium then picked up a furious Webo repeatedly asking why a racist term had been used to describe him.

In the exchange in question between the all-Romanian officiating team, Coltescu said: "The black one over there. This is not possible. Go and identify him. That guy, the black one."

Basaksehir's Senegal international striker Demba Ba, among the substitutes for the away side, could be heard remonstrating with the official, saying in English: "When you mention a white guy, you never say 'this white guy', you just say 'this guy', so why when you mention a black guy do you say 'this black guy?'"

<h2>- 'No to racism' -&nbsp;</h2>

UEFA promised a "thorough investigation" into the incident and confirmed the match would restart at 1755 GMT on Wednesday.

European football's governing body said it had "decided on an exceptional basis to have the remaining minutes of the match played (Wednesday) with a new team of match officials".

UEFA's regulations for the Champions League stipulate that, normally, any team refusing to play must forfeit the game and also faces a fine of 250,000 euros ($303,000).

Danny Makkelie of the Netherlands was named as the referee for the remainder of the game, with the other officials from the Netherlands and Poland. They replace Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, his two assistants and Coltescu.

The president of the Turkish champions said his side refused to restart the game as long as the fourth official was still involved.

"The fourth official used the word 'negro' in front of everybody. If the fourth official is removed from the pitch, then we will restart," Goksel Gumusdag told Turkish television channel TRT Spor.

Basaksehir responded to the incidents by tweeting "NO TO RACISM #Respect", along with a photo of UEFA's anti-racism logo.

The message was retweeted by PSG, who later tweeted their support on their English-language feed.

"All forms of racism go against the values held by Paris Saint-Germain, the club's Chairman, staff and players," the French champions said.

Despite the interruption of the match, played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic, PSG qualified for the last 16 from Group H after RB Leipzig beat Manchester United 3-2 in Germany.

However, PSG will need to win the game in order to finish on top of the group above Leipzig.

Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir staged an unprecedented joint walk-out over alleged racism by a Champions League match official on Tuesday, prompting UEFA to suspend the game and launch an investigation.

Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir staged an unprecedented joint walk-out over alleged racism by a Champions League match official on Tuesday, prompting UEFA to suspend the game and launch an investigation. Both teams left the pitch after a lengthy touchline row which erupted when the Romanian fourth official, Sebastian Coltescu, appeared to describe Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo, the former Cameroon international, as "black", or "negru" in Romanian. Demba Ba responding to what was said by the fourth official in PSG vs Basaksehir pic.twitter.com/mFGJgSW1X4 — FIFA 21 News (@FUT21News) December 8, 2020 × The group game in Paris, which was goalless at the time, was suspended and will resume where it left off, in the 14th minute, on Wednesday, with a different set of match officials. Many athletes have taken a strong stand against racism since Black Lives Matter protests flared around the world over the death of George Floyd during his arrest in Minneapolis in May. PSG striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted, "Say no to racism", while team-mate Neymar posted, "Black Lives Matter". Both players were prominent in the heated discussions on the touchline. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is understood to be close to Basaksehir's owners, tweeted that he "strongly condemn(s) the racist remarks", while Romanian-born French sports minister Roxanna Maracineanu praised the players' "historic decision". Basaksehir midfielder Giuliano told Brazilian media: "(The comment) was very clear, many people heard, including our coach. It was disgraceful. "As a team and a group, we decided to protest because that is unacceptable. Racism has to end." The row blew up after Webo was shown a red card. Television microphones in the empty Parc des Princes stadium then picked up a furious Webo repeatedly asking why a racist term had been used to describe him. In the exchange in question between the all-Romanian officiating team, Coltescu said: "The black one over there. This is not possible. Go and identify him. That guy, the black one." Basaksehir's Senegal international striker Demba Ba, among the substitutes for the away side, could be heard remonstrating with the official, saying in English: "When you mention a white guy, you never say 'this white guy', you just say 'this guy', so why when you mention a black guy do you say 'this black guy?'" - 'No to racism' - UEFA promised a "thorough investigation" into the incident and confirmed the match would restart at 1755 GMT on Wednesday. European football's governing body said it had "decided on an exceptional basis to have the remaining minutes of the match played (Wednesday) with a new team of match officials". UEFA's regulations for the Champions League stipulate that, normally, any team refusing to play must forfeit the game and also faces a fine of 250,000 euros ($303,000). Danny Makkelie of the Netherlands was named as the referee for the remainder of the game, with the other officials from the Netherlands and Poland. They replace Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, his two assistants and Coltescu. The president of the Turkish champions said his side refused to restart the game as long as the fourth official was still involved. "The fourth official used the word 'negro' in front of everybody. If the fourth official is removed from the pitch, then we will restart," Goksel Gumusdag told Turkish television channel TRT Spor. Basaksehir responded to the incidents by tweeting "NO TO RACISM #Respect", along with a photo of UEFA's anti-racism logo. The message was retweeted by PSG, who later tweeted their support on their English-language feed. "All forms of racism go against the values held by Paris Saint-Germain, the club's Chairman, staff and players," the French champions said. Despite the interruption of the match, played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic, PSG qualified for the last 16 from Group H after RB Leipzig beat Manchester United 3-2 in Germany. However, PSG will need to win the game in order to finish on top of the group above Leipzig.

PSG, Basaksehir stage Champions League walk-out over official's alleged racism

The Instagram account of the fourth official in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/uefa-champions-league">UEFA Champions League</a> match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir has been apparently hacked as his profile picture was replaced by an image of Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant manager Pierre Webo, whom Coltescu allegedly identified using the Romanian word for black.

As per reports, the hackers, who appeared to be Turkish, further changed Coltescu’s bio to include a “No To Racism” hashtag.&nbsp;

<img alt="Ref" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="896d14ae-f6c7-49cc-bb7b-8e126375fe39" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/36628434-9033883-The_Instagram_account_of_the_Romanian_fourth_official_Sebastian_-a-26_1607502603593.jpg" />

Coltescu’s alleged use of racism language triggered both Basaksehir and PSG walking off the pitch as a sign of protest at the Parc des Princes.

TRENDING |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-from-demba-bas-reaction-to-fourth-officials-explanation-how-psg-vs-istanbul-basaksehir-racism-row-unfurled-348514" hreflang="en">Watch - From Demba Ba's reaction to fourth official's explanation: How PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir racism row unfurled</a>

With the match paused at 24 minutes, the remaining 76 minutes of the Group H match between PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening with a different set of UEFA refereeing team appointed for the encounter.

Webo vocally protested a decision on the touchline during the first half of the match.

As the referee came over, footage appeared to show Coltescu identifying Webo by saying: 'The black one over there. Go and check who he is. The black one over there, it's not possible to act like that'.

It is being reported that Coltescu said&nbsp;a Romanian word for black. Webo overheard the match official in an empty stadium and immediately accused Coltescu of racism and was shown a straight red card.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-basaksehir-stage-champions-league-walk-out-over-officials-alleged-racism-348492" hreflang="en">PSG, Basaksehir stage Champions League walk-out over official's alleged racism</a>

Former Chelsea forward Demba Ba, on the substitute bench for Istanbul Basaksehir, questioned Webo why he had used the discriminatory word to identify Webo.

He said: 'You never say "this white guy", you say "this guy", so why when you're mentioning him... listen to me... why when you mention a black guy, why do you say "this black guy."'

Players and staff of both Basaksehir and PSG were pretty vocal about the incident and left the pitch after around 10 minutes of discussion with the main referee Ovidiu Hategan.

TV footage also showed PSG's French defender Presnel Kimpembe saying: 'Is he serious? We are heading in. We're heading in. That's it, we're heading in.' Basaksehir coach Okan Buruk was heard saying ‘you are racist’ to Coltescu.

After a long wait, the match was called off on Tuesday and will resume from the same point on Wednesday.

Istanbul Basaksehir took to Twitter: 'Our players have taken a decision NOT TO go back on the pitch after our Assistant Coach Pierre Webo has been exposed to racist behaviour by the 4th Official.'

The incident has led to staunch criticism of racial acts in the world of football with former England international Rio Ferdinand saying “football is at the tipping point” and higher authorities should take some strong action if they want to put an end to discrimination. 
&nbsp;

The Instagram account of the fourth official in the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir has been apparently hacked as his profile picture was replaced by an image of Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant manager Pierre Webo, whom Coltescu allegedly identified using the Romanian word for black.

The Instagram account of the fourth official in the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir has been apparently hacked as his profile picture was replaced by an image of Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant manager Pierre Webo, whom Coltescu allegedly identified using the Romanian word for black. As per reports, the hackers, who appeared to be Turkish, further changed Coltescu’s bio to include a “No To Racism” hashtag. Coltescu’s alleged use of racism language triggered both Basaksehir and PSG walking off the pitch as a sign of protest at the Parc des Princes. TRENDING | Watch - From Demba Ba's reaction to fourth official's explanation: How PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir racism row unfurled With the match paused at 24 minutes, the remaining 76 minutes of the Group H match between PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening with a different set of UEFA refereeing team appointed for the encounter. Webo vocally protested a decision on the touchline during the first half of the match. As the referee came over, footage appeared to show Coltescu identifying Webo by saying: 'The black one over there. Go and check who he is. The black one over there, it's not possible to act like that'. It is being reported that Coltescu said a Romanian word for black. Webo overheard the match official in an empty stadium and immediately accused Coltescu of racism and was shown a straight red card. ALSO READ: PSG, Basaksehir stage Champions League walk-out over official's alleged racism Former Chelsea forward Demba Ba, on the substitute bench for Istanbul Basaksehir, questioned Webo why he had used the discriminatory word to identify Webo. He said: 'You never say "this white guy", you say "this guy", so why when you're mentioning him... listen to me... why when you mention a black guy, why do you say "this black guy."' Players and staff of both Basaksehir and PSG were pretty vocal about the incident and left the pitch after around 10 minutes of discussion with the main referee Ovidiu Hategan. TV footage also showed PSG's French defender Presnel Kimpembe saying: 'Is he serious? We are heading in. We're heading in. That's it, we're heading in.' Basaksehir coach Okan Buruk was heard saying ‘you are racist’ to Coltescu. After a long wait, the match was called off on Tuesday and will resume from the same point on Wednesday. Istanbul Basaksehir took to Twitter: 'Our players have taken a decision NOT TO go back on the pitch after our Assistant Coach Pierre Webo has been exposed to racist behaviour by the 4th Official.' The incident has led to staunch criticism of racial acts in the world of football with former England international Rio Ferdinand saying “football is at the tipping point” and higher authorities should take some strong action if they want to put an end to discrimination.

PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu's Instagram hacked after racism row

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PSG, Basaksehir stage Champions League walk-out over official's alleged racism

PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu's Instagram hacked after racism row