La Liga: Valencia warned over walk out

Valencia`s players walked off during their La Liga game with Cadiz on April 4 in protest against racist abuse, with coach Javi Gracia later claiming they were told they would be punished if they refused to resume the match. Pic/AFP

Valencia's players walked off the pitch during their La Liga game against Cadiz on Sunday, after the club said their player Mouctar Diakhaby was racially abused. After a short delay, the Valencia team returned to resume the match, this time without Diakhaby, who the club said had requested his team-mates continue.

Diakhaby had shared a heated exchange with Cadiz's Juan Cala at the Ramon de Carranza stadium before indicating to the referee he was leaving the field, with the Frenchman's team-mates then following him off in the 37th minute. Valencia posted messages on social media soon after, which read: "The team have held a meeting and decided to continue the game, in order to fight for the honour of the club, but denounce racism of any kind.

"We offer our complete backing to @Diakhaby_5. The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch. We support you Mouctar." Cala was then also substituted at half-time, having earlier scored the opening goal for Cadiz, with Kevin Gameiro equalising for Valencia. Diakhaby was replaced by Hugo Guillamon and watched the second half sitting in the stands.

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