Alessandro Sabatini/Getty Images
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan reacted to the fourth official, alongside AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli, during the Serie A match against Udinese on January 20th.
CNN
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AC Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan led his team off the pitch on Saturday due to alleged racist chants directed at him by opposing fans at the Brunergie Stadium in Udine, Italy. did.
The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of a match against Udinese in Italy’s Serie A.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Maignan, a 28-year-old black man, said he heard chants of “monkey squeal” from the crowd when he won the ball for the first goal kick and again during the second goal. He said he heard it. kick.
“These are ignorant people… When you’re away from home you get booed and whistled at. That’s normal, but what happened today has no place in football,” Maignan said. Told.
Maignan informed referee Fabio Maresca, and as Maignan left the pitch and walked down the players’ tunnel, the referee stopped the match.
Alessandro Sabatini/Getty Images
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan speaks with referee Fabio Maresca during the Serie A match against Udinese on January 20th.
His Milan teammates also joined him.
The game restarted less than 10 minutes later, with Milan winning 3-2 in a dramatic final minute.
After the match, Milan cheered for Maignan as follows: post “Racism has absolutely no place in our games. We are appalled. We are with you, Mike.” on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Liga Serie A condemns all forms of racism,” the league says Posted With X.
Last week, fellow Serie A side Lazio were forced to close their stands for one match after supporters directed racist chants at Romelu Lukaku during their Italian Cup win over local rivals Roma.
Italian football authorities are likely to announce any disciplinary action against Udinese in the coming days after an investigation that includes examining the referee’s match report.