The entire Valencia team walked off the pitch during their game against Cadiz after Mouctar Diakhaby was allegedly racially abused.
An argument broke out in the 30th minute of the game at the Nuevo Estadio Ramon de Carranza between the defender and Cadiz player Juan Cala.
Diakhaby was clearly furious with whatever was said, with a scuffle breaking out on the pitch resulting in the defender picking up a booking.
Just three minutes later, the Valencia players left the pitch in a show of solidarity, with former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista leading the charge.
The Frenchman looked distraught as he made his way down the tunnel, although it is unclear exactly what was said to upset him so greatly and force a strong show of solidarity from his teammates.
It was Cala who had put Cadiz in front with 14 minutes on the clock, but Kevin Gameiro had levelled for the away side five minutes later when the incident happened.
A statement on Twitter from the club read: “We offer our complete backing to Diakhaby.
“The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch. WE SUPPORT YOU MOUCTAR.
“NO TO RACISM.”
The game did get back underway after some time had passed, with Diakhaby have been substituted boss Javi Gracia, although Cala remained on the pitch for Cadiz.
While the referee was not able to take action, with the audio not sufficient to be reviewed by VAR, you have to imagine there will be an inquest into what has happened today and what exactly Cala said to Diakhaby.
After the game, Valencia captain Jose Gaya spoke about the incident and said: “Diakhaby mentioned to us there were some insults from the opposition, and we are not going to accept that.
“We decided to leave the pitch and were just waiting to see what was going to happen.
“We were going to stay with our team-mate but we were told we would have to leave the pitch, we came back on the pitch because we were told we were probably going to lose the game.
“That’s what happened and Diakhaby asked us to return as well and that’s why we decided to come back.
“We did what we were told – we were told to come back to the pitch or lose three points or possibly a few more but we did so because Diakhaby asked us to do so.
“He told us to continue but he didn’t want to – he’s not happy after the game, he’s quite upset and very hurt.”
A Cadiz club statement said: “We are against any situation of racism or xenophobia, whoever the author, and we work for its eradication. All the perpetrators of these crimes, whether or not they are from our team, must pay for it.
“We do not doubt the honesty of all members of our squad, who are firm defenders of the fight against racism, whose attitude has always been exemplary in all the matches that have been played.
“The club cannot enter into assessments of the issues of the game between the players, and we always demand an attitude of respect and responsibility towards the opponents.”
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