Barcelona and PSG boycott post-match interviews with TV network after 'racist comment' aimed at Lamine Yamal

Players and staff from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain boycotted interviews with a TV broadcaster after a comment about Lamine Yamal was made live on air.

Ahead of kick-off at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night, teenage sensation Yamal featured in a segment on a pre-show broadcast by Spanish network Movistar.

Here, the Spain international could be seen juggling the ball during Barcelona's warm-up. "Look at the quality, look at the touches from Lamine Yamal," said one pundit.

Then, fellow pundit and former Argentina goalkeeper German 'Mono' Burgos, who previously worked as Diego Simeone's assistant as Atletico Madrid, sparked controversy.

Burgos said: "If football doesn't work out for him, he can end up [working] at a traffic light."

As reported by ESPN, the comment that prompted laughter from other studio guests was deemed 'racist and classist in its allusion to those who ask drivers stopped at traffic lights for money.'

Image credit: Getty

It is said players and officials from Barcelona and PSG were made aware of the comment before kick-off, and they informed Movistar that they wouldn't speak to them afterwards.

During last night's broadcast, Movistar reporter Ricardo Sierra explained the situation on air.

"I understand many of you want to hear from Barca players and coaches, but UEFA, PSG and Barca have informed us they will not speak to us because they are angry with a comment made in the studio before the game," he said.

"Therefore, there won't be any reaction, so I apologise from here – as we should do back in the studio."

Burgos has since offered an apology to Lamal, who impressed for Xavi's side before being replaced by Joao Felix on the hour mark.

"I wish I had had the ability this kid has," he said. "It was a comment made without meaning to hurt anyone. We talk about football, nothing else. If he felt offended, I am sorry and I apologise publicly.

"It was not the intention. Sometimes humour gets you into trouble. In these times you have to adapt to everything and that's what we are doing."

Barcelona walked away from the Parc des Princes with a one goal advantage ahead of next week's quarter-final second leg thanks to a late header from Andreas Christensen.

PSG went 2-1 ahead shortly after the start of the second-half courtesy of Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha but Barca produced an impressive comeback as Raphinha and Christensen made it 3-2.

Barca will be hoping to progress to this season's Champions League semi-final when they host the Ligue 1 side on April 16.

Topics: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League, Lamine Yamal

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_