Courtesy-Sky Sports
Diakhaby stormed off the field after a tense argument with Cala, claiming the Spanish player had used a derogatory insult against him in the first half of Valencia’s game in Cadiz three weeks ago.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) investigating judge is set to reject bias charges that caused Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby to walk off the field in a LaLiga game against Cadiz due to a lack of evidence.
“In an eight-page ruling, Juan Antonio Landaberea Unzueta concludes that the racist insult Cala allegedly directed at Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby could not be proven,” Cadiz said.
“The presumption of innocence must apply if, after an unbiased appraisal of the evidence, it cannot be established with absolute certainty that the offence was committed. This certainty is absent in this case”.
Valencia’s players walked off the field in unison, becoming the first top-flight Spanish side to do so.
The players later resumed the game without Diakhaby, saying that they were told they would be fined if they did not return.
“They regret this proposal and hope that the Competition Committee (the disciplinary body of the Spanish federation) will succeed in clarifying the matter,” Valencia stated.
Lip-reading researchers were used by investigators and attempt and decipher what was said by the two players.
Diakhaby, a 24-year-old former Lyon player who has been at Valencia since 2018, insisted on being racially abused, saying, “It is unacceptable, I cannot tolerate that, and you have all seen my reaction”.