The LaLiga Santander match between Cadiz and Valencia was halted in the first half after a clash between Juan Cala and Mouctar Diakhaby.
Diakhaby chased after the Cadiz player after allegedly hearing a racist insult, although it’s not yet clear exactly what comments were exchanged.
After a lengthy discussion between players and the referee and after Diakhaby was even shown a yellow card, the Valencia players decided to walk off the pitch in response.
A few minutes later, though, the players returned and, after five minutes of warm-up, the match was restarted from the 29th minute, with Cadiz taking a throw-in and passing the ball to Valencia’s defence.
Diakhaby did not come out for the restart, with Hugo Guillamon coming on instead. Cala – who had scored Cadiz’s goal for the 1-1 score that marked the scoreboard at the time of the incident – did continue.
Valencia posted two tweets, stating that their player received a racist insult and that he had urged his teammates to go back out and play.
𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗠 ✊🏽✊🏿
The team have held a meeting and decided to continue the game, in order to fight for the honour of the club, but denounce racism of any kind.#CádizValencia
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) April 4, 2021
We offer our complete backing to @Diakhaby_5
The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch.
WE SUPPORT YOU MOUCTAR
𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗠 ✊🏽✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/iPtPSpdNYv
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) April 4, 2021
