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FC Sion player Serey Die interrupted an interview with an opposition player to condemn racist abuse suffered by his teammate.
The game with St. Gallen in the Swiss Super League ended in dramatic fashion when Guillaume Hoarau scored a 93rd minute equaliser.
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But after the 1-1 draw tempers flared and a scuffle ensued after St. Gallen players were incensed by Sion goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu's sarcastic clapping of the home supporters.
He was confronted by players, including St.Gallen goalscorer Nicolas Lüchinger.
But Fayulu had actually been on the receiving end of monkey chants from fans and so responded by taunting.
👊🏿 Total soutien à notre joueur Timothy Fayulu victime d’insultes racistes de la part des supporters saint-gallois.
— FC Sion (@FCSion) August 21, 2021
Nous espérons que des sanctions soient appliquées.#FCSion #TousEnsemble #noracisme ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/aB3YZbuxGH
When Lüchinger was giving a live post-match interview, Die came over to confront him.
The Ivorian denounced the racist abuse and revealed Fayulu was left in tears over the vile racist chants.
Eklat in St. Gallen – Sion will Konsequenzen ⚽ Nach einer mutmasslichen rassistischen Verunglimpfung von FC Sion-Hüter Timothy #Fayulu durch St. Galler Fans gehen die Emotionen hoch. @FCSG_1879 @FCSion #SuperLeague #SL #srfsport #srffussball pic.twitter.com/tTqeVDUXz1
— SRF Sport (@srfsport) August 22, 2021
The emotional conversation between the two happened live on air on national television and Lüchinger apologised for his conduct after not being aware of the racial abuse.
"I only saw that Fayulu gave a round of applause, that is not necessary. But I agree that absolutely is the lowest of the lowest," he said, roughly translated.
“Apparently the fans have racially treated the keeper. That is absolutely not possible. Absolutely not."
He also cut the interview short after hearing the true version of events.
Sion coach Marco Walker did not hear the chants but was unhappy with what happened.
"I didn't hear it right away, but things like this shouldn't exist," Walker said in his press conference.
“I haven't been able to speak to Timothy about this yet. But this is very unfortunate. It's a shame that fans in football too often cross a line."
It feels like something needs to be said. How is it possible that Timothy Fayulu - by the way a Swiss U21 international - gets racially abused in one of our stadiums? HOW? 😡
— Bolzplazz Swiss Football Platform (@Bolzplazz) August 22, 2021
It‘s not the 1st time it happened in St. Gallen. Questions need to be asked. #sion #valais #fcsg pic.twitter.com/GUQ4ufInzU
This isn't the first time St Gallen supporters have racially abused an opposition player, having aimed racial insults at FC Zurich Tosin Aiyegun in June 2020.