Valencia have released a strongly-worded statement after Cadiz defender Juan Cala denied making any racist comment towards Mouctar Diakhaby on Sunday.
Following the alleged incident, Valencia players left the pitch, though the match did later resume without Diakhaby, Cala meanwhile remained on the field.
Speaking during a press conference today, Cala has denied the allegations, suggesting that Diakhaby either made up his comments, or misinterpreted what was said between the pair.
“It seems that we are in the West,” he said.
“I don’t know what has happened to the presumption of innocence. Nobody deserves this public lynching. Here’s my phone number to at least apologise.”
“I don’t know if Diakhaby made it up, if he misinterpreted it? I don’t know,
“I’ve lived with Chinese, South Africans. I’ve been in Guinea with [Frederic] Kanoute and Benjamin [Zarandona].
“We are [playing] football without a crowd. There are 20-25 cameras, microphones, players, referees… and nobody hears anything.”
Cala also explained that he had offered to speak publicly about the incident immediately after the match, though was not allowed to do so by the club’s president. He also said that he would be willing to meet with the Valencia player to discuss the matter.
However, Valencia have swiftly responded to his comments, releasing a statement on the club website saying that they do not believe his claims.
“Valencia CF are deeply saddened by statements made by Cádiz CF player Juan Cala this Tuesday, in which 48 hours later, he denied racially insulting Mouctar Diakhaby during the LaLiga match played last Sunday at the Ramón de Carranza.”
OFFICIAL STATEMENT |
— Valencia CF ??? (@valenciacf_en) April 6, 2021
JUAN CALA, WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU #YoCreoAMouctarDiakhaby
“Cala has missed a great opportunity to accept his mistake and apologise to the player affected. Instead of doing this, he attacked both Diakhaby and other members of Valencia CF.
“Valencia CF wish to reiterate that we believe our player and back him completely. After the threats made by Cala in his press conference this Tuesday, April 6th, the Club, president Anil Murthy and Mouctar Diakhaby himself remain firm in the conviction to fight to the end, wherever necessary, on the matter for the good of football and society. Valencia CF will not stop fighting for an improvement in protocol and in the battle against racism in football.”
Featured image credit: Getty