Players of Racing Club Abidjan staged an on-field protest during their league match against CO Korhogo by effectively stopping play in protest of what they believed was poor officiating.
In a highly unusual scene, Racing Club Abidjan players stopped making tackles, and actively competing during the match and the team’s goalkeeper refused to attempt saves, standing still as play continued —watching their opponents score six. The protest escalated to the point where the
The match eventually ended in a heavy 6–0 defeat for Racing Club Abidjan, with CO Korhogo taking full advantage of the situation to score multiple goals.
The incident has sparked debate across the Ivorian football community and beyond, with many questioning the professionalism of the protest method. While concerns about officiating are common in football, it is generally expected that teams complete matches competitively and file official complaints through the appropriate channels afterward.
Football authorities are expected to review the incident, and Racing Club Abidjan could face disciplinary action for bringing the game into disrepute, depending on the league’s regulations and the referee’s report.
The incident now stands as one of the most dramatic on-field protests in recent African club football, and further developments are expected once the league authorities review the match report.