Valencia Players Leave Pitch In Racism Protest

Valencia walked off the pitch during Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat at Cadiz after an alleged racist comment, before later returning to complete the match.

Mouctar Diakhaby reacted furiously after a first-half clash with Cadiz’s Juan Cala and spoke with the referee.

Valencia’s players left the pitch in protest and the club said Diakhaby, 24, “received a racial insult”.

He later asked his team-mates to return and they resumed the game but without Diakhaby, who was substituted.

Valencia defender Jose Gaya said after the game that the team either had to resume playing or risk a points deduction.