November 15 – UEFA is to investigate allegations of racial abuse towards Aberdeen’s Senegalese striker Pape Habib Gueye by PAOK Salonika fans in their recent Europa Conference League game.
Aberdeen said the incident took place in the second half of the 2-2 draw and immediately told the UEFA venue director before officially reporting the matter with the match delegate at full-time.
Gueye (pictured) was said by Aberdeen officials to have been “very upset” about the incident but PAOK deny the claims.
“This specific incident is clearly a product of imagination, as it did not come to the attention of any official of the organisation,” the Greek club said in a statement.
“There has never been racist behaviour in Toumba [Stadium], which would not be tolerated anyway.”
In a further statement to Sky, PAOK added: “In both games, in Aberdeen and in Thessaloniki, fans were perfectly accepted by the local communities.
“Two spectacular games without even the slightest incident of insult nor aggressive behaviours. The two teams had perfect cooperation.
“PAOK is a team founded by Greek refugees, it is by nature against racism and in Toumba we faced all kind of problems in the past except any racist behaviour. Officials did not hear or see anything, so for us the most important remains the nice exchange of football culture in both games between our teams.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1722059384labto1722059384ofdlr1722059384owedi1722059384sni@w1722059384ahsra1722059384w.wer1722059384dna1722059384