Porto forward Moussa Marega calls Vitoria fans 'idiots' and referee 'a disgrace' after racist abuse

Mali forward, 28, scored what proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory and celebrated by pointing to his skin after he had been abused throughout the match by sections of the home support at Estadio D Afonso Henriques

Porto's Moussa Marega, second right, attempts to leave the pitch after racist insults by Vitoria de Guimaraes fans. EPA

FC Porto's Malian forward Moussa Marega attempts to leave the pitch after hearing racists chants as his coach Sergio Conceicao tries to stop him. AFP

Vitoria de Guimaraes' Lucas Evangelista (R) fights for the ball with FC Porto's Moussa Marega. EPA

FC Porto's Malian forward Moussa Marega attempts to leave the pitch after hearing racists chants as his coach Sergio Conceicao tries to stop him. AFP

Porto's Moussa Marega, second right, attempts to leave the pitch after racist insults by Vitoria de Guimaraes fans. AFP

Porto's Moussa Marega, left, attempts to leave the pitch after racist insults by Vitoria de Guimaraes fans. EPA

Moussa Marega reacts after scoring what proved to be the winning goal. AFP

Moussa Marega reacts after scoring what proved to be the winning goal. AFP

Moussa Marega reacts after scoring what proved to be the winning goal. AFP

Moussa Marega scores to make it 2-1 against Vitoria Guimaraes. AFP

Vitoria de Guimaraes' Sacko, left, fights for the ball with Porto's Moussa Marega. EPA

FC Porto's Malian forward Moussa Marega challenges Vitoria Guimaraes' Brazilian forward Welthon. AFP

Porto striker Moussa Marega called Vitoria Guimaraes supporters who subjected him to racist abuse during Sunday's Primeira Liga match "idiots" and branded the match referee "a disgrace" for showing him a yellow card for his goal celebration.

The Mali forward, 28, scored what proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory for Porto on the hour mark and celebrated by pointing to his skin after he had been abused throughout the match by sections of the home support at Estadio D Afonso Henriques.

The reaction earned him a yellow card and after the abuse continued he tried to leave the pitch, pointing his thumbs down to the crowd as well as making obscene gestures, but was restrained by teammates for several minutes.

With the match at an impasse, Porto manager Sergio Conceicao took the decision to substitute Marega in the 72nd minute.

Marega, who spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Vitoria, posted a message on Instagram later on Sunday criticising supporters who targeted him and also calling match referee Luis Godinho "a disgrace".

"I'd also like to show my thanks to the referee who did not defend me and who gave me a yellow card for defending the colour of my skin. I hope I never meet you on a football pitch ever again. You are a disgrace," he added.

Porto boss Conceicao defended his player's actions, and told reporters after the match: "We are completely indignant.

"They insulted Marega since the warm up. We are all a family here, regardless of our nationality, skin colour, height or the colour of our hair and we all deserve respect. What happened here is outrageous.

"I know the fans here are very passionate about their club and many fans are not represented by some of the people who were in the crowd today."

The league's organising body Liga Portugal condemned the chants.

"Liga Portugal does not agree and never will with acts of racism, xenophobia or intolerance that jeopardize the dignity of footballers or any human beings," said a statement on the organisation's website.

"Liga Portugal will do everything to ensure that this episode and all other racist incidents do not go unpunished.

"We believe this is a fight where your team's colours do not matter and everyone must come together to eradicate this scourge on the game."

Vitoria coach Ivo Vieira said he did not want to comment on the incident as he was not certain what had happened.

"I prefer not to speak about a situation without being aware of all the facts. But if the player was provoked, then he should not have been," he said.

Porto are second in the Portuguese top flight, trailing leaders Benfica by a point after 21 games.