Udinese keen to ban Mike Maignan’s racial abusers for life

It is likely that the Udinese fans who racially abused Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan will be banned for life.

Maignan was racially abused during Milan’s dramatic win over Udinese and the game had stopped for five minutes, with the Rossoneri players having to console the Frenchman. Maignan condemned the actions of the fans after the game, stating that they should not be allowed to attend football games.

Luca Bianchin has stated that Udinese are already in contact with Milan to study the action which could be taken, with a lifetime ban likely. Udinese general director Franco Collavino has also made it clear the goal of the club is to ban the racist fans for life, to make sure that they do not watch games ever again.

He stated: “A Daspo has a limited duration but the club can decide to exclude a fan from a stadium for a longer period of time. We will work to exclude them from the stadium forever, for life.”

He also stated that the city of Udine has a very mutli-cultural outlook and the incident does not relfect on the city as a whole, but on the people who did the act.

“Udinese is obviously sorry, they stand in solidarity with Maignan and condemn all forms of racism, as per the club’s DNA. We have always been multiracial and multiethnic. After the Bosman ruling, Udinese was characterized by setting up a team with players of different nationalities and for this we were also criticized. We are an example of inclusion and tolerance and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region has also demonstrated these principles. It is no coincidence that the governor and the mayor have expressed their closeness.” 

Kaustubh Pandey | GIFN