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Official accused of racism in PSG-Basaksehir game is suspended


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UEFA has suspended the official accused of racism during a Champions League meeting of Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir. 

Sebastian Constantin Coltescu will not be allowed to officiate any refereeing function until the end of the 2020-21 season.

Coltescu and fellow official Octavian Sovre were found guilty by a UEFA Ethics Committee of "inappropriate behaviour" but not of racism.

The Group H clash of PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended on December 8 when (fourth official) Coltescu was accused by the Turkish club's coach Pierre Webo of making a racist comment in his direction.

The game was scoreless at the time, and Basaksehir players felt so aggrieved they left the pitch in protest.

Pitchside microphones captured the moment Basaksehir striker Demba Ba confronted the official, with the striker heard to say:"You never say 'This white guy', you say 'This guy'. So why when you mention a black guy you have to say 'this black guy'?"

Despite lengthy negotiations, the game did not resume on the night. Instead they reconvened the following evening at the Parc des Princes with an all-new officiating team. PSG won the contest 5-1.

UEFA's investigation found that both Coltescu and Sovre had broken Article 11(1) DR and Article 6(1) of the General Terms and Conditions for Referees officiating at UEFA Matches, i.e. for inappropriate behaviour during a UEFA match.

Both were cleared of breaching Article 14 DR (racism and other discriminatory conduct).

Coltescu and Sovre must both attend educational programmes before 30 June 2021.

UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) agreed that UEFA officials should be adequately and specifically trained to make better decisions on the choice of language and words to be used in UEFA competitions.

"In the international context," they added, "Correct use of language is essential to avoid situations such as those that occurred in the above-mentioned match."

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Anti-racism Istanbul Basaksehir PSG Paris Saint Germain Pierre Webo Racism Sebastian Constantin Coltescu UEFA

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