Back to school! UEFA weigh up alterations to referee education after players walked off in Paris

UEFA will consider any potential changes to their education of referees following the investigation into the race storm that overshadowed Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League tie with Istanbul Basaksehir.

Both teams walked off the pitch and refused to return after a racist remark from Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu towards Basaksehir coach Pierre Webo leading to the initial game’s suspension and the remainder of the match being played out 24 hours later.

Tuesday’s incident is expected to be on the agenda in upcoming UEFA referee get-togethers next week and next month. 

European football’s governing body have opened an investigation into the flashpoint and appointed an inspector who will present their findings to UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body.

Reports from the match delegate, referee and the match officials’ audio feeds, as they all wear microphones during games, will be assessed as part of the probe.

The investigation into the incident, the first of its kind for UEFA, will influence whether chiefs decide they need to increase the cultural and diversity training they offer their officials.

The control, ethics and disciplinary body expect to receive the findings of the inspector’s work in a week to 10 days. 

Any outcome of the case which could result in a 10-game ban for Coltescu, therefore, will not come before UEFA’s referee’s committee meet next week.

Though UEFA will be better placed to discuss any changes they may implement in their training when they hold their annual winter courses for leading and new international referees for 2021 in January.

Next month’s events will be held online rather than at a designated European location due to Covid-19 restrictions.