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PSG, Istanbul Basaksehir take knee to protest alleged racial abuse by official
Paris Saint-Germain fans put up banners in the tribune in support of Pierre-Achille Webo of Istanbul and also against racism before a match against Istanbul Basaksehir. Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images

PSG, Istanbul Basaksehir take knee to protest alleged racial abuse by official

Taking a knee ahead of sporting events has become common in 2020. 

Before Wednesday's resumed Champions League match between Paris-Saint Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir, all players on both sides took a knee to protest racial abuse by an official as the Champions League anthem played in the background.

The match was called off in the early stages on Tuesday as players refused to play after Romanian official Sebastian Coltescu allegedly used a racial moniker to describe Istanbul's Cameroonian assistant manager Pierre Webo, who received a red card and was tossed from the game. 

The protest, which was led by Demba Ba, resulted in the visitors walking off the pitch at Parc Des Princes. PSG followed behind, with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Prensel Kimpembe particularly supportive of the movement. 

Wednesday's match contained an entirely new officiating crew as a result of the incident. UEFA now is looking into the matter, and the official will likely face disciplinary action.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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