European football is embroiled in another racism row, after a Spanish top-tier match saw players walk off the pitch in the first half.
Valencia were told by organisers to resume playing the La Liga match at Cadiz on Sunday, or they would have to forfeit the points after Mouctar Diakhaby complained he had been racially abused, fellow defender Jose Gaya said.
Valencia's players walked off the field in the 29th minute after Frenchman Diakhaby reacted furiously following an altercation with Cadiz's Spanish centre back Juan Cala.
Referee David Medie Jimenez said in his report that Diakhaby had told him Cala had used a racial slur against him, although Cadiz coach Alvaro Cervera said his player had assured him he had not insulted the Frenchman.
It was the first time a La Liga match had been halted following an accusation of racism.
The players eventually returned to the pitch but did so without Diakhaby, who said he was not in the right state of mind to continue playing and was substituted.
Valencia's Mouctar Diakhaby leaves the pitch with his teammates at Ramon de Carranza stadium in Cadiz, Spain, 4 April 2021. EPA/ROMAN RIOS Source: EFE
Diakhaby was also shown a yellow card before the Valencia players left the pitch for arguing with Cala.
"Diakhaby told us he heard a racist insult so we all went off the pitch. We were told that we had to play because if we didn't they would take the three points off us and maybe we'd be docked more points," Gaya told Spanish network Movistar.
"Diakhaby asked us to play on, we wouldn't have done so if he hadn't done so. He said he wasn't in the right state of mind to keep playing. He is devastated."
Gaya added he had heard the comment Cala made to Diakhaby, describing it as "a very ugly insult which I won't repeat".
Cadiz coach Cervera said he took Cala off at halftime because he had already received a yellow card and did not want to risk him getting sent off, adding he believed his player's denial.
La Liga did not respond to a request for comment on Gaya's statements.
Valencia coach Javi Gracia said Diakhaby had been "seriously insulted and was quite shaken".
'Victim of racism'
Valencia released a statement saying Diakhaby had "become another victim of racism in football" and lamenting the fact that "after being subjected to an intolerable racist insult he received a yellow card for protesting".
The statement also said the referee had warned them of the consequences of not returning to the pitch.
"Today is a sad day for our sport. We didn't just lose a game today, we lost the respect and spirit of football."
Cadiz released a statement saying the club was "against any manifestation of racism or xenophobia, regardless of who the perpetrator is" but did not mention Cala.
"We don't doubt the honesty of all members of our squad, who are firm believers in the fight against racism and whose attitude in every game has always been exemplary," it added.
"The club cannot assess incidents in a match between players and we always demand that our players show respect and responsibility towards their opponents."
