Marega Substitutes Himself after Racially Abusive Chants by Away Fans

Moussa Marega, an FC Porto striker substituted himself off the pitch after away fans made abusive racist chants against him.

Marega 28, was met with the racially abusive chants after he scored the winning goal when his team FC Porto, played against Vitoria in a Portugal’s Primeira Liga match on Sunday, February 16, 2020.

As Marega celebrated his goal, he pointed at his skin, to symbolize his love for his skin color, but a section of the Vitoria FC fans booed him and made monkey noises against the Malian international.

Marega was not pleased by the away fans’ reaction after he scored, so he decided to leave the pitch in protest without being substituted nor suspended.

Efforts by his fellow teammates to keep him on the pitch proved futile as Marega really looked annoyed and to add salt to a fresh and open wound, the referee showed him a yellow card for his reaction.

It took almost 12 minutes for his teammates to try and convince him to change his mind and continue with the match, but Marega was inconvincible as he left the pitch in protest.

Marega’s coach who joined forces with his players to convince the Malian international had to substitute Marega in the 72^nd minute.

“We are completely indignant,” Sergio Conceicao told reporters after the match.

“They insulted Marega since the warm-up. We are all a family here, regardless of our nationality, skin color, height or the color 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 then later announced on his Instagram that he was completely disappointed by the Vitoria fans and the center referee who was in charge of the match.

“And I also thank the referees for not defending me and for giving me a yellow card because I defend my skin color,” he wrote. “I hope I never see you on a football field again! YOU ARE A SHAME!!!!”

The match ended 2-1 in favor of FC Porto, thanks to Moussa Marega’s 60th-minute goal.

Portugal’s Premeira Liga officials said they would take action against those involved.