Valencia players stopped game for 25 minutes after alleged racist comment!

The La Liga match between Cadiz and Valencia was halted with just half an hour gone at the Ramon de Carranza stadium. The score was 1-1 at the time. 

Juan Cala of Cadiz and Diakhaby of Valencia were involved in an argument, the Valencia man was fuming and then, he and his teammates left the field of play.

In the 30th minute, Cala and Diakhaby were involved in an argument and the latter was furious. The referee David Medie Jimenez booked Diakhaby for his reaction, but Cala, who was already on a yellow, avoided a second yellow. After the referee failed to take action, the Valencia players walked off the field of play. 

It was unclear what happened, but it seems Diakhaby was upset by a comment made by Cala. It brought back memories of what happened between PSG and Baseksehir back in December when Baseksehir's players left the field of play after an alleged racist comment made by the fourth official. 

Juan Cala had put Cadiz in front with 14 minutes on the clock, but Kevin Gameiro had levelled for the away side five minutes later when the incident happened.

The game finally resumed after a 25 minute stoppage without Diakhaby who was replaced by Guillamon. Juan Cala did come back for Cadiz, but he was then taken off at half-time for Marcos Mauro. 

Just prior to the resumption, Valencia released a statement saying "The team have met and have decided to return to fight for the shirt, but firm in their condemnation of racism in all its forms. No to racism. We offer our complete backing to Diakhaby. The player, who had received a racist insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch."

As the players went off, Valencia's Gabriel Paulista said to one of the television cameras: "You have to look at those things, black s**t no, eh?". We will surely hear a lot more about this. 

 

April 4, 2021