NEYMAR’S ON MESSAGE FOR PSG RESTART

NEYMAR blasted in a hat- trick during a truncated match as Paris Saint- Germain hammered Istanbul Basaksehir 5- 1 to top Group H.

The game, which had been controversially suspended after a mass walk- off on Tuesday, was restarted 14 minutes in at the Parc des Princes with a free- kick and a new set of officials last night.

Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu, who had been at the centre of the storm, was among those replaced, following accusations of racism levelled against him.

The teams and officials made a circle together before kick- off and took the knee as the Champions League anthem played.

Banners carrying antiracism messages ( above) were placed in the stands, while the players wore “No To Racism” T- shirts ( as worn below by Neymar during the warm- up).

Istanbul assistant coach Pierre Webo was allowed to take his place in the dugout after his red card was suspended by UEFA.

Webo had been sent off 24 hours earlier during a heated exchange on the touchline, following wing a foul by PSG.

When referee e Ovidiu Hategan asked for clarification from m his fourth official as s to which member of staff was responsible, Coltescu responded, using the Romanian word d for black – ‘ negru’. ru’.

It led to the exit of both teams, who demanded the replacement of the official. UEFA have launched an investigation and Coltescu faces a minimum 10- match ban if found guilty of racism.

He defended himself yesterday, insisting that he had not meant any offence.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not racist. At least that’s what I hope,” he said.

But Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says action needs to be taken.

“I am very sad because we don’t want that in football,” said Mourinho. “Of course, he made an unacceptable mistake, but only he can open his heart, apologise and accept the consequences.”

However, former

England and Liverpool star John Barnes believes that the official did nothing wrong.

“He’s pointing from 15ft away into a group huddled together,” said Barnes.

“What’s wrong with saying ‘ the black guy’? Should we be ashamed of being black?

“If there had been five black coaches and one white coach, he would have pointed out ‘ the white one’. What else can he say?”