“It is an insult referring to racism”. This is how Javi Gracia expressed himself at the end of the Cádiz-Valencia. The result, 2-1 for the locals, was left in the background due to what happened in the middle of the first half. Medié Jiménez, collegiate of the clash, had to interrupt the clash at 29 minutes, as stated in the minutes. “He called me a fucking nigga”, picked up the referee. LThe words were, presumably, from Juan Cala to Mouctar Diakhaby. This was made known by the Valencian defender, who was not able to return to the field at the restart, 24 minutes later, of the game. Cala did, but was changed by Cervera in the break. The reactions were swift.
On the Cadiz side they defend their footballer, “Cala says she hasn't insulted Diakhaby and I believe in my player”said the Cádiz coach. The ball is now in the court of the RFEF Integrity Department, which must decide whether to take action. Valencia, for its part, showed its “disappointment” by what happened, since it considers that measures should have been taken, and denounces: “Mouctar Diakhaby has today become another victim of racism in football. After suffering an intolerable racist insult, he has still seen the yellow card for protesting, “they highlight.
In addition, they have shared a tweet in which they defend that they will go to the end: “Yesterday, today, tomorrow and always: STOP TO RACISM. Our TOTAL SUPPORT to @ Diakhaby_5. We will fight to the end to clarify what happened, defend our player and eradicate racism. “All accompanied by an image of the team raising its hand, led by the protagonist of the story.
“We cannot accept insults or racist attacks”
Cala will appear this Tuesday to give explanations, give his version of what happened and asks for the presumption of innocence. But, as we advanced, the wave of reactions has not been framed in the two groups involved, even going beyond the world of football. “We cannot accept insults or racist attacks”, defends Pablo Iglesias, former vice president of the Government and candidate for United We Can for Madrid, on social networks. A feeling joined by Pablo Echenique, UP spokesperson in Congress, and who recalls the 'Zozulya case': “Cala calls Diakhaby a black shit. The game continues. The fans call Zolulya Nazi. The game is suspended.”
Teammates and Profession
“I know Diakhaby well, he would not have left the game without a reason … Racism must not be in football or anywhere else … soon we will know the reasons. Until we know more: strength for you brother, “shared Eliaquim Mangala, a teammate behind at Valencia, on Twitter.
I know Diakhaby well … he would not have left the party without a reason …
Racism should not be in football and nowhere else … we will soon know the reasons.
Until we know more: strength for you brother ????????#cadizvalencia #amuntValencia– Eliaquim Mangala (@ Elia22Mangala) April 4, 2021
Without leaving the Valencian community came the support of Pau Torres: “Here I do not understand rivalry! Diakhaby Force! Out with racism! Say no to racism! “, Exclaimed the Villarreal defender. Carlos Soler, another teammate, has also spoken on social networks:”This cannot happen again. Not on a soccer field or in any area of life. Let's end racism NOW! We love you brother. “
The Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane has been another of those who has expressed himself on the matter. “I don't know exactly what happened yesterday. What I can tell you is that respect is above all and is the most important thing. Zero tolerance“He declared when asked at the press conference prior to the clash against Liverpool. He has not been the only intrendy of the white team to raise his voice, but rather Mariano Diaz, Diakhaby's former teammate at Olympique Lyon, has posted an Instagram photo along with the message “My brother, you will always have us behind you fighting racism“.
Outside our borders: “Storm of racism”
What's more, the 'Diakhaby case' has crossed borders and Milan supports both the Valencian player and Davinson Sánchez, Tottenham center-back who has also suffered racial abuse (from social networks) this day: “We are saddened to hear that there are still racist incidents that are shaking the world of football. We are with Davinson Sánchez and Tottenham and Mouctar Diakhaby and Valencia. Together we must continue to fight in the name of tolerance“.
The main international media also echo what happened and they chronologically explain the succession of events, highlighting that Valencia had to return to the field to avoid a possible sanction. Being especially sensitive to the incident in England, since the fight against racism is something that, unfortunately, is a constant at the moment in the British Isles, with a special focus on the abuse suffered by professionals (see the Davinson case) from social networks.
“Storm of racism”, Title The Sun in one of the strongest sentences. “Clamorous, Valencia is withdrawing from the field! Racist insult to Diakhaby”, they wrote from the Corriete dello Sport. While Or Jogo It is much more graphic: “He called me a shitty black,” Diakhaby tells the Cádiz-Valencia referee. The Portuguese central defender left the field after half an hour of play. ” USA Today, L'Équipe, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ole, Daily Mail, The Mirror and a long etcetera that will surely be attentive to the future of an event that has unfortunately placed Cádiz-Valencia in the world spotlight.