PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Who is fourth official Sebastian Coltescu?

Romanian official Sebastian Coltescu has been accused of racism in Tuesday’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir, which was suspended in the wake of the 43-year-old's alleged abuse of Istanbul assistant coach Pierre Webo.

Demoted to Romania's second division in 2007

Coltescu is a first-division referee in Romania, having returned to the country's top flight in 2008 after being downgraded by FIFA in 2007 and demoted to the second tier.

This season, he has only been the match referee once in Europe, in a clash between Petrocub Hincesti and Backa Topola in a Europa League qualifier. In previous seasons, his continental assignments have included an Atlético Madrid-Galatasaray match-up in the UEFA Youth League.

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"Coltescu's entire career is filled with dark moments"

Two weeks ago, on 23 November, he found himself in the spotlight for his decisions in a Romanian league game between Gaz Metan Medias and Steaua Bucharest.

Adrian Porumboiu, a Romanian former referee, player and FC Vaslui director, offered damning remarks on Coltescu after the game. “His entire career is filled with dark moments,” he said. “He may have talent, but he should maybe choose another profession: music or dancing. In refereeing, you have to be impartial.”

Porumboiu added: “Everyone has to understand that human errors are allowed in a referee, but they haven’t been [mere human errors in Coltescu's case] for years. There isn’t a game where he doesn’t have a direct impact on the result.”

Steaua owner: "I'm a better referee than him"

In 2015, Steaua owner Giga Becali also attacked Coltescu's officiating after a match between the 26-time Romanian champions and Astra, saying: “He should be excluded. I’m a better referee than him.”