Santiago Colombatto, The Argentine midfielder from Famalicão, denied on Friday that Pepe (Porto) was called a ‘monkey’ and said it was a “false” accusation that caused “inexplicable” pain to him and his family.
On his profile on the social network Instagram, Colombatto described what happened as “very sad”, since then considering the ex-Madridista “a benchmark”, while condemning any kind of racist attitude.
“I have never had a racist attitude or comment not during my professional career or since I was a child. I also do not allow these types of offenses to be committed in my presence. My values are above all,” the Argentine player wrote.
Santiago Colombatto, 26, also said that the pain caused by Pepe’s accusations was “inexplicable”, but that he was ready to “clarify what happened”.
The incident that Pepe denounced
According to Pepe, the Famalicão midfielder would have called him ‘monkey’ in Spanish during the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semifinals played on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the 87th minute, during which time Colombatto lay down on the pitch to help, and where the cameras caught the visibly furious Portuguese international.
After the duel, Porto won 3-2 after extra time and where he made it to the final, Pepe filed a complaint with the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP), Porto confirmed this Friday.
Colombatto’s version
For his part, Colombatto made sure that what he said was “you kicked me, idiot” and more It was in a “close and friendly tone, within what is the context of the game and in line with what the figure of Pepe” means to him.
After the game, “I looked for him in the locker room to clarify what happened, but he He doesn’t even want to listen to me.”added the Famalicao player.
Colombatto also pointed out that he wanted to “think it was a mistake, that (Pepe) did not listen well”, although “after studying his subsequent behavior I have doubts about it”.
“I didn’t trade my honor for a trophy”
“There are few things worse than feeling disappointed and one of them is when the one who disappoints you is a reference. I don’t change my honor for a trophy,” added Colombatto.
For the Famalicão player, “racism is a stain on society and in sports, We all have to destroy it. But like this, launching false accusations, we will not succeed.”
“I hope you will recognize your mistake to return to the place that corresponds to you as a reference in the world of football and thus lives up to the shield you defend”, concluded Colombatto.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
