PSG Boss Thomas Tuchel Under Fire For Appearing To Back Match Officials During Racism Row With Istanbul Basaksehir

Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has come under fire for appearing to back the match officials during the racism storm with Istanbul Basaksehir.

The Champions League match was held up in the 14th minute when Istanbul assistant manager Pierre Webo was sent off after words were exchanged with fourth official, Romanian Sebastian Coltescu.

He then claimed that Coltescu had used a racist term against him and a heated debate continued on the sidelines at the Parc des Princes with Basaksehir substitute Demba Ba particularly vocal in his protests.

With no fans in place, the silence from the stands meant everything was heard by the on-pitch mics, with Tuchel seemingly sticking up for the referees.

The video below shows Ba furiously remonstrating, stating: "You never say, 'This white guy.' Why when you mention a black guy, you have to say, 'this black guy.'"

One of the officials responds that it is a miscommunication relating to "Romanian language."

On reviewing the footage, Kylian Mbappe encouraged his PSG colleagues to follow the Istanbul players off of the pitch.

Both teams then left the field to head to the dressing rooms in the 21st minute of the game and the match is still to be resumed.

In a statement, Uefa said: "Following an alleged incident involving the fourth official, the match was temporarily suspended. After consultation with both teams, it was agreed that the match would restart with a different fourth official.

"Uefa will thoroughly investigate the matter and further communication will be made in due course."

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand called for football's governing bodies to take action following the incident, which came days after fans at Millwall's Championship tie against Derby booed when players took the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"We're at a disturbing tipping point," he told BT Sport. "We've got Millwall, the PSG game, all in the same week. Not a week goes by at the moment without an incident involving race.

"We're at the point now where something needs to be done, we're saying it all of the time, but the powers that be within this game need to make a huge stand.

"That's a step in the right direction [players walking off] - showing unity in that sense, but it can't be just left to the players to do this."