Both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) players snubbed post-match interviews with a Spanish TV channel during the UEFA Champions League first-leg quarter-finals due to racial remarks made by one of their pundits towards 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.

The Spanish TV pundit, and former Atletico Madrid assistant manager, German Burgos, made an inappropriate comment towards Barca’s young starlet, Lamine Yamal. The comment, which referenced people juggling for money at traffic lights, has been widely condemned online as insensitive and bordering on racism.

Burgos was working for Movistar Plus as a pundit and made the remark while Yamal was filmed juggling the ball. He said, “If it doesn’t go well for him, he could end up at a traffic light,” as reported by the Daily Mail.

Both clubs demanded an apology from the TV channel before allowing their players to do interviews. The Spanish TV stated, “I understand that many spectators expected us to have a conversation or interview with Barca. But PSG and Barca have notified us that they were not going to attend to us because they were tremendously angry with a comment that was made on our set.”

Burgos, breaking his silence on the issue, stated that he did not intend to cause harm to the teenager. “It was a comment made without the intention of hurting anyone. If anyone felt offended, I apologize publicly,” he stated. Other presenters at the station echoed his sentiments.

However, the players and managers of both teams were willing to carry out media duties for other broadcasters after Barcelona’s thrilling 3-2 victory. The action on the pitch was wonderful on the night as Xavi’s side gave themselves an advantage to take back to Spain for the second leg.

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