Porto striker Moussa Marega left the pitch in protest of being subject to racist insults during his side’s 2-1 win away to Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal’s Primeira Liga on Sunday, France 24 reports.
Mali forward, 28, scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 60th minute and celebrated the goal by pointing to his skin in response to a section of the home fans who had targeted him throughout the match.
He was shown a yellow card for the reaction and after the abuse continued he tried to leave the pitch, pointing his thumbs down to the crowd but was restrained by his teammates for a number of minutes.
Porto coach Sergio Conceicao was eventually forced to substitute Marega in the 72nd minute.
“We are completely indignant,” Conceicao told reporters.
“They insulted Marega since the warm-up. We are all a family here, regardless of our nationality, skin colour, height or the colour of our hair and we all deserve respect. What happened here is outrageous.
“I know the fans here are very passionate about their club and many fans are not represented by some of the people who were in the crowd today.”
Marega later posted a message on Instagram calling the supporters who targeted him as “idiots” and also criticising match referee Luis Godinho.
“I’d also like to show my thanks to the referee who did not defend me and who gave me a yellow card for defending the colour of my skin. I hope I never meet you on a football pitch ever again. You are a disgrace,” he added.
Connect with us @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram Football Sierra Leone.
“I also thank the referees for not defending me and for giving me a yellow card because I defend my skin colour” – Porto striker Moussa Marega https://t.co/TYGgBA2155 pic.twitter.com/7kU9LSmQMv
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 16, 2020
Sierra Leone | Highlights - 