UEFA starts proceedings against PSG-Basaksehir referees

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - European football body UEFA launched proceedings on Thursday against Romanian referees over alleged racist remarks in a 2020 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Medipol Basaksehir.

"Following an investigation conducted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector regarding the events that led to the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir FK on 8 December 2020 being abandoned, proceedings have been opened against Mr. Sebastian Constantin Coltescu and Mr. Octavian Sovre for a potential violation of Article 11 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations," UEFA said in a statement.

In Article 11, the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations oblige member associations, clubs, players, officials and members to "comply with the principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship."

The match on Dec. 8 between PSG and Basaksehir in Paris was paused after Basaksehir headed to the locker room for alleged racist remarks by the fourth official directed to the club's assistant manager and former Cameroon football player Pierre Webo.

The match was rescheduled for the next day with a new team of match officials.

PSG hammered Basaksehir 5-1 at Parc des Princes to win Group H.

Separately in a protest against racism, referees and players knelt down on the pitch before this match.