Rangers defender sends support to PSG and Basaksehir players over Champions League racism row

Rangers defender Leon Balogun took to social media to show his support for PSG and Basaksehir players.

Tuesday’s game was suspended in the 14th minute after Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu was accused of using a racist term to identify Basaksehir assistant boss Pierre Web, who had been shown a red card.

The incident prompted an angry reaction both in the technical area and on the field as incensed Basaksehir players walked down the tunnel and were soon joined by their PSG counterparts in a display of solidarity.

The match was subsequently abandoned, and Ibrox defender Balogun made his feelings clear as he tweeted his own anti-racism message in support of both sets of players for their actions.

The Nigerian international posted a raised fist in five different skin tones as well as the words: "Well done PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir."

UEFA released a statement on Tuesday night confirming an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The match is due to resume at 5.55pm on Wednesday evening from the 14th minute with a new team of match officials in place.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan also tweeted about the incident and urged UEFA to take action.

He said: “I strongly condemn the racist remarks made against Pierre Webo, one of our representative Başakşehir’s technical team, and I believe that the necessary steps will be taken by UEFA.

“We are unconditionally against racism and discrimination in sports and all areas of life.”

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