STARS IN THE UAE - GHANA - STRIKER ASAMOAH GYAN ACCUSS AL HILAL PLAYER RACIAL ABUSE
Al Ain's Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan has accused Al Hilal midfielder Mihai Pintilii of racially abusing him during an Asian Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
The incident occurred after Gyan was sent off with 20 minutes left for a challenge on Salem Al-Dawsari.
Romanian Pintilii ran over to Gyan to remonstrate, which sparked a melee between players from both sides.
"Pintilii said an abusive word," said Ghana captain Gyan.
"The player has no right to tell me what he did.
He said something to me which made me upset.
"He knows what he said, you can ask him. He knows what he said."
Emirates club Al Ain are expected to launch a formal complaint to the Asian Football Confederation upon gathering all details about the case.
Gyan, who joined the club originally on loan in 2011 before making the deal permanent a year later, was involved in some pushing and shoving before leaving the field following the dismissal which came with the scores level on the night at 1:1.
The 28-year-old said he deserved the red card after a lunging tackle on the winger.
"I must confess it was a harsh tackle.
But in my mind I did not go for the player, I just went in strong for the ball," Gyan said. "I am a professional.
"The referee took his decision.
It is football so I cannot complain.
I lost my head a bit, but life goes on."
Gyan's side went on to win the match 2:1 but were knocked out of the competition by their Saudi opponents 4:2 on aggregate.
Ghana
UAE