I’ve Been In Guinea With Kanoute and Benjamin, I’m Not A Racist, Cala Says During Press Conference

Cadiz centre-back Juan Cala has come out defiantly by denying any allegations of racism made against him by Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby.

The reported incident came during Cadiz’s match against Valencia at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza last Sunday, with Los Che’s players walking off the pitch after being informed by Diakhaby about what was said. The match later resumed, but without Diakhaby.

“It seems that we are in the West,” Cala said during Tuesday’s press conference.

“I don’t know what has happened to the presumption of innocence. Nobody deserves this public lynching. Here’s my phone number to at least apologise.”

The 31-year-old seemed baffled by the accusations made by Diakhaby.

“I don’t know if Diakhaby made it up, if he misinterpreted it? I don’t know,” Cala noted.

“I’ve lived with Chinese, South Africans. I’ve been in Guinea with [Frederic] Kanoute and Benjamin [Zarandona].

It’s incredible what is happening. I am in a state of shock.

“We are [playing] football without a crowd. There are 20-25 cameras, microphones, players, referees… and nobody hears anything.”

Cala made clear that immediately after the match he was willing to come out and address the situation, but Cadiz president Manuel Vazcaino didn’t allow him to.

“As soon as the match was over, I told the president that I wanted to go out and speak [about what had happened],” he stated.

“He tells me that I have already been sentenced. At 8 o’clock in the morning I told him again that I wanted to go out [and speak]. I came out [to speak] when Cadiz said so.

“Since Sunday my lawyer has been compiling the data to start legal action. But I have received messages from everywhere with a lot of support, because I have been the target of a lynching right now.”

Cala also said that he would be willing to meet with Diakhaby.

“There is no racism in Spanish football,” he commented.

“I have no problem sitting down with him [Diakhaby]. What has developed is a circus.”