Mbappe: Real Action Is Stronger Than Anti-racism Slogan

Kylian Mbappe wore a shirt bearing the slogan anti-racism while warming up ahead of the Champions League Group H final match against Istanbul Basaksehir (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe said what he and his colleagues were doing in participating in the walk-out with the Istanbul Basaksehir players was a concrete step rather than anti-racism slogans.

This came on Tuesday, December 8 when fourth match official Sebastian Coltescu allegedly committed racial acts against Basaksehir's coaching staff, Peter Webo.

The action caused the match to be stopped just 14 minutes after the start of football and continued about a day later starting with the players of the two teams wearing shirts with the message of anti-racism, kneeling with the officials ahead of the final match of Group H of the Champions League at Parc des Princes, Wednesday local time ( Thursday WIB).

PSG in the end beat Basaksehir in the match with a score of 5-1, marked by Mbappe's brace and Neymar's hat-trick.

"Of course I am proud of our actions. Of course many condemnations are said about racial acts, but nothing is stronger than real action," said Mbappe after the match.

UEFA through its official website stated that it had started an investigation into the incident.

"We are tired and we no longer want to have this kind of incident. We are all human and what happens is intolerable. Everyone is tired and we have to do something about this," said Mbappe.

"Yesterday we were not too disappointed because we failed to play. That's a joint decision we take with pride. The more you ignore it, the more something that is considered normal. But no, it is not something normal," he added.

Mbappe's statement was also greeted positively by PSG manager Thomas Tuchel, who expressed his full support for the attitude of his players.

"They took strong decisions, united with other teams and took bold steps. In the dressing room yesterday everything showed it was a pure reaction from them," said Tuchel.

Racial acts in football and in sport in general are still a disease that continues to be prevalent in all parts of the world.

Athletes from various sports continue to voice various anti-racial acts, although it seems that it is still difficult to erode this tendency.

Recently, at a match for England's second caste, the Championship League, Milwall supporters who had just been allowed to fill the stadium stands cheered their players on their knees for a social message of anti-racism in the match against Derby County.