In a press interview a former player has compared the fate of black footballers to those of slaves who used to run from their masters on the plantations. He said black players only job is to run on the pitch and use their stong physique, but they can t make any decisions. A politician from the largest opposition party has pointed out, however, that while black players make a fortune, the country is plagued by unprecedented poverty.

46-year-old Vikash Dhorasoo of Indo-Mauritanian origin, a former player of the Paris Saint-Germain football club known for his publicly held views against racism and homophobia, gave an interview to France Info news portal.

The journalist asked the retired footballer about the scandalous game between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir. Dhorasoo first explained that black men need to speak up for themselves because no one else would. When people of colour are taunted with racist comments, politicians and leaders tend to raise their voices, but typically nothing happens in merit, which paves the way for the next insults. 

The former footballer then made another strong statement, surprising even the reporter. Speaking about black footballers, Dhorasoo said there were no people of colour in either the management or among the coaches. The only job of the black players in the team is to run, but they can t manage, make decisions or talk to the press. The former football player spoke of systemic racism and compared the incidents in the world of football to police and state racism. He said black players are only used for their physique, and then compared their fate to that of slaves, who used to run from their masters on the plantations just like they are running today, on the football field. The journalist noted that the two things were not the same but, sticking to his guns, Dhorasoo said whites think blacks are inferior because of France s colonial past, so the whole system should be rebuilt, he opined.

In the meantime, Pierre Webo, the player called „black” by the Romanian referee was also accused of racism. A Romanian journalist claimed that Istanbul s player had called the Romanians „gypsies” in the second minute of the match. In a recording published later, Webo can be heard in the background saying that Romanians are called gypsies in his country.

Even more curiously, it has since been revealed that the word „black” was not uttered by Sebastian Coltescu, the fourth referee, but one of his assistants, Octavian Sovre, according to a tweet by Romanian journalist Emanuel Rosu.

Politicians have also noticed the incident. In a sacrastic tweet Aymeric Durox, a member of the French National Rally Party, pointed out that black football players decribed by Vikash Dhorasoo as slaves actually make millions, while there is unprecedented poverty in the country.

Turkish President Erdogan also spoke out about the case. He condemned the racist remarks made at the match against Istanbul Basaksehir player Pierre Webo, and added that he trusted that UEFA would take the necessary action. President Erdogan closed his post by writing that he was clearly opposed to racism and discrimination in sport, as well as in all areas of life.