Joined Tuesday evening shortly before midnight, the Minister of Sports, born in Bucharest, gives exclusively her testimony on the racist incidents that enamelled PSG – Basaksehir at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
How do you react to the events which led to the end of the match at the Parc des Princes?
ROXANA MARACINEANU. We have just witnessed an unprecedented event: leaving the field in a united manner. This ties in with one of my struggles since I took over at the head of my Ministry, namely that the actors on the ground must take hold of the issues. It’s the actions that count. The players, that is to say those mainly concerned, have decided to take matters into their own hands and stand in solidarity against these offenses that they sometimes suffer from spectators present in the stands or this time, and more exceptionally. , by the referees. I can only congratulate them for taking this initiative to get out of the field. Together.
Do you think that we have just seen a before and after in the fight against racism?
When the sportsmen seize it, sportsmen without whom the spectacle cannot take place any more, the authorities have no other choice than to react and to align themselves. We must wait for the results of the investigation to know the conclusions of UEFA. If the words are confirmed, things will move. It is no longer the somewhat timid attitudes of certain authorities, which use slogans or banners. Real change can only be brought about by the field and the main stakeholders who take hold of the cause. What is strong is that both teams came off the field.
You are from Romania and the referee quartet was Romanian. Does Romania have a problem with racism?
It makes me all the more sad that it was Romanian referees who made these comments. We do not refer to someone by their skin color. In some countries, these habits persist. This must change everywhere and this fight against ordinary racism must be supported by everyone, in particular the refereeing body. It must take a stand against all forms of discrimination and violence. He is the guarantor. Football is a showcase and if we fight it there, that can change in other sectors of society.
