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Sebastian Coltescu and Demba Ba
Photo:
FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The European football association Uefa has suspended referee Sebastian Coltescu until the end of the season.
As fourth referee, Coltescu played a key role in the cancellation of the Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Başakşehir last December.
After 23 minutes, both teams left the field in the Prinzenpark in Paris.
The incident caused quite a stir.
Coltescu wanted to make the main referee aware of misconduct on the part of the Istanbul bank.
It was about assistant coach Pierre Webó.
According to the accusation of Başakşehir's bank, he is said to have used the “N word”.
This expression could be heard clearly in the empty Prinzenpark Stadium during the TV broadcast.
It was also heard that the referee team explained that Coltescu had used the Romanian word for black (negru) and not the "N-word".
Webó and Başakşehir's striker Demba Ba then pointed out that this would also be problematic.
The referees would not say "the white" to identify a white player.
The reduction to biological characteristics is not the reason why the Uefa now pronounced its penalties.
In a statement, she said that Coltescu had been suspended for "inappropriate behavior".
He was also ordered to take part in a training program.
Assistant Octavian Sovre is also said to take part in the program, he was also warned.
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Başakşehir and PSG footballers kneel before the game continues
Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
However: The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Chamber did not find a violation of Article 14 (racism and other discriminatory behavior).
Rather, the association specified that two other articles had been violated: Article 11 (1) of the Disciplinary Code, which deals with general principles of conduct, and Article 6 (1) of the General Terms and Conditions for Referees, which calls on officials to stand up during and to "behave professionally and appropriately" after the game.
Training is necessary in order to make better decisions about the choice of language, according to the Uefa.
"In an international context, the correct use of language is of crucial importance in order to avoid situations like those that occurred in the game mentioned above."
So all just a misunderstanding?
In order to understand Uefa's reasoning, a more detailed explanation of the judgment would be necessary.
But the association has not yet published them.
That would happen "in due course," it said.
The game continued with a new team of referees the day after it was canceled, PSG won 5-1.
Before the kick-off, the professionals from both teams took a stand against racism.
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mon / dpa / Reuters / sid