Porto striker Moussa Marega walked off the pitch against Vitoria, claiming he was racially abused by opposition supporters.
Despite pleas from his teammates, Marega stormed down the tunnel, giving the thumbs down signal to the crowd as he made his way off.
Marega scored the second-half winner in Porto’s 2-1 away win and, when celebrating his goal, pointed to his skin.
Objects and even stadium seats were thrown in his direction, but the 28-year-old soon became visibly distressed and left the pitch.
As well as pleas from his teammates to continue, Porto head coach Sergio Conceicao also spoke to Marega but ultimately granted him his wish and replaced him with Wilson Manafa.
Marega later wrote on Instagram: “I would just like to tell these idiots who come to the stadium to make racist chants, go f*** yourself. I hope I never see you on a football field again. You are a disgrace!
“And I also thank the referees for not defending me and for giving me a yellow card because I defend my skin colour.”
Porto’s match report on their website described it as ‘a sad situation that should make the Guimaraes club and Portuguese football blush with shame’.
Conceicao added: “We are a family regardless of nationality, skin colour, hair colour. We are human, we deserve respect. What happened here is unfortunate.
“We are completely indignant about what happened. I know the passion that exists for Vitoria and I think most of the fans do not see themselves in the same attitude of some people who have insulted Moussa since the warm-up.”
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas tweeted: “Respect for Marega. Respect for football. Respect for all,” while Borussia Dortmund added: “We strongly support and stand with Porto’s Moussa Marega who was subjected to racial chants today. Again and again, enough is enough!”
Many who watched the scenes unfold commented on his teammates not walking off in support of Marega, while Otavio Monteiro appeared irritated.
Using an Instagram story to clarify things, Marega said: “He is my brother! He just tried to calm me down like a brother and I know he’s with me,” before also thanking people for all the support he has received.
Otavio also posted a picture of them both on Instagram with the caption ‘no to racism’.
