PSG-Basaksechir: Match official breaks silence after racist remarks prompts game to be cancelled

Game suspended

December 8th's Champions League match between France's PSG and Turkey's Basaksehir came to an unexpected end after only 22 minutes on the field. One of the match officials, Sebastian Coltescu, was accused of using racial slurs to Pierre Achille Webo. After Webo had vehemently protested against a refereeing decision, the fourth official was allegedly heard 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.

Istanbul forward Demba Ba, who was a substitute, could be seen on the touchline asking the official:

Why, when you mention a black guy, do you have to say 'this black guy?'

Following the heated exchange, all players on the field immediately ceased playing and collectively decided to boycott the match by referencing the UEFA's 'say no to racism' slogan.

Even though Coltescu tried defending himself by saying that there were no racist connotations in the words he used his apology was not convincing enough and players left the field leaving the game to be rescheduled. The match will recommence on Wednesday from the 14th minute. Kick-off will be at 17:55 GMT.

In a statement, UEFA said:

the remaining minutes of the match [will be] played tomorrow with a new team of match officials. A thorough investigation on the incident that took place will be opened immediately.

Sebastian Coltescu's apology

In a Twitter post by Coltescu, the Romanian ref remains firm in his belief that the words he used did not have any undertones of racism but were simply taken out of context:

So, what do you think about the official's apology? Heartfelt or insincere?

Watch the video above to catch the moment in which the heated exchange took place!