La Liga Match Suspended As Players Leave Pitch Due To Racism

It has become a normal sight to see Premier League teams kneel before any game commences. This has become a symbol of that football expression of their rejection of racism in the game and their midst.

That racism has beleagueared sports in general and football particularly is old story, but that it has become more rampant recently has become quite a worrying phenomenum. Recently a whole team have had to walk out of a an a siign of protest against the ugly phenomena. Yesterday, 4th April, a top Spanish La Liga side Valencia walked off the pitch during their league encounter against Cadiz on Sunday evening when defender Mouctar Diakhaby was allegedly racially abused.

It was in the first half as the game has progressed for thirty minutes and the scores was 1-1 when the incident occurred.

Diakhaby and Cadiz defender Juan Cala were involved in an argument and the French defender was visible angry. Referee David Jimenez booked an infuriated Diakhaby who reported the racial comment and the entire Valencia team walked off into the dressing room as the referee failed to take necessary action, stopping the game momentarily.

Diakhaby however prevailed on his teammates to return after a 25-minute stoppage following a team meeting, the club revealed on its Twitter page. “?? ?? ??????. The team have held a meeting and decided to continue the game, in order to fight for the honour of the club, but denounce racism of any kind.

“We offer our complete backing to Diakhaby. The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch. We support you Mouctar. ?? ?? ??????,” the club added.

The match resumed but the 24 years old defender failed to return to the pitch but chose to watch on the sidelines.

Though, Cadiz won the game via Marcos Mauro’s 88th minute goal, but the powerful message has been passed that such discrimination and any sort of expression associated with it would not be tolerated in these top teams all over the world.

This is the second time in four months that a team or teams would walk off the pitch in protest against racism. The first of such was during PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir’s Uefa champions league encounter in December.

Both sides had walked off following alleged racial slur by a member of the refereeing team towards one of the Turkish club’s coaching staff.

The match was abandoned and only resumed the following day.

The comment or action of UEFA or even FIFA concerning this action taken by a top European team as a vehement protest againt racism is yet to be heard.