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The European Football Union did not rate the events at the Champions League game between Paris Saint-Germain and Basaksehir Istanbul as racism, but banned the Romanian referee Sebastian Constantin Coltescu for "inappropriate behavior" until June 30, 2021.
The Uefa announced on Monday.
On December 8, 2020, the group game between the French champions and the Turkish club was canceled following a red card against Basaksehir's assistant coach, Pierre Webo.
Coltescu, acting as the fourth official, is said to have referred to Webo when he was sent off with the term circumscribed in Germany as the "N-word".
This expression could be heard clearly in the empty Prinzenpark Stadium during the TV broadcast.
It was also heard that the referee team from Romania tried to defend themselves by claiming that Coltescu had used the Romanian word for black (negru) and not the “N word”.
Wild discussions ultimately led to the game being abandoned in December
Source: REUTERS
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Both teams had left the field in protest.
A day later, Paris won the game 5-1.
The case had caused quite a stir internationally and led to numerous protests and expressions of solidarity.
Also banned players
Coltescu must now take part in an educational program for UEFA referees before June 30, 2021.
In an international context, correct language usage is essential in order to avoid situations like those that occurred in the game, according to the Uefa.
The Romanian assistant referee Octavian Sovre has been reprimanded for inappropriate behavior and must also take part in the UEFA educational program.
With these decisions, the Uefa Ethics and Discipline Committee takes the view that both referees have violated Article 11 paragraph and Article 6 (obligation to behave appropriately), but not Article 14 (racism and other discriminatory behavior).
Webo was banned from a European Cup game for his unsportsmanlike conduct prior to the red card incidents.