Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has spoken about the racist abuse he suffered from a section of Udinese fans earlier today.
Milan did beat Udinese 3-2, but when the Rossoneri were 1-0 up in the game and Maignan was standing close to the Udinese fans, the Frenchman complained to the referee in the 36th minute. Amidst all the confusion, the Frenchman walked off from the penalty area, spoke to the referee and informed him about the racist abuse from Udinese fans.
The game stopped for five minutes, as Milan players consoled the goalkeeper before they returned from the tunnel. Maignan spoke to Sky Italia (via MN) about the abuse he received, revealing that he heard monkey chants from the fans and also stated that this has happened to him before.
“At the first time, I went to get the ball and I heard people call me ‘monkey’, but I didn’t say anything; then they did it again and I asked the bench for help, then I said that you can’t play football like that. This is not the first time this has happened to me. These are things that need to be said. They are ignorant people. The fan comes to the stadium to cheer, maybe to whistle, but these things in football shouldn’t happen.”
Maignan was also asked whether he would want to meet those who racially abused him, but the goalkeeper refused, stating that the authorities have to take action against those who did that.
“Now I don’t want to meet anyone, I don’t want to talk to them. They must have very strong sanctions, because talking is no longer of any use. They must stay at home and no longer come to the stadium. Football is beautiful because you come to the stadium, with your families , to have fun.”
Serie A have condemned the racist abuse on their social media platforms but it remains to be seen if they take action.
Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN
