Update: Romanian referee accused of using racist language during Champions League match

Romanian refereeSebastian Coltescu was accused of having made a racist remark during the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday evening, December 8.

The match was suspended after about 16 minutes due to racist remarks from Coltescu, the Romanian fourth official, who allegedly referred to the assistant coach of the Turkish team, Pierre Webo, using the words "the black one," local Digi24 reported. He reportedly used this racial term when he told referee Ovidiu Hategan that Webo should be reprimanded for his behavior on the sidelines.

"Go and give it (the red card) to the black one, this is not possible (tolerable), go and identify him, go verify, the black one over there," Coltescu allegedly said, in Romanian, about Webo, according to Apnews.com.

Webo reacted, asking Coltescu why he said "negro," while Basaksehir substitute Demba Ba demanded that the Romanian fourth official explain himself.

UEFA said that it would conduct "a thorough investigation" into this incident and that the remaining minutes of the match would be played on Wednesday, with a new team of match officials.

"Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football," UEFA wrote on Twitter.

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. Racism, and discrimination in all its forms, has no place within football. #NoToRacism — UEFA (@UEFA) December 8, 2020

Turkish officials also reacted to this scandal, condemning such racist behavior. Among them, president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said on Twitter: "I strongly condemn the racist remarks made against Pierre Webo, one of the technical team of Basaksehir, and I believe that UEFA will take the necessary steps. We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sports and all areas of life."

Temsilcimiz Başakşehir’in teknik ekibinden Pierre Webo'ya karşı sarf edilen ırkçı sözleri şiddetle kınıyor, UEFA tarafından gereken adımların atılacağına inanıyorum. Sporda ve hayatın tüm alanlarında ırkçılığa ve ayrımcılığa kayıtsız şartsız karşıyız.