IThere was another racist incident in the Italian Serie A at the weekend. In the Udinese Calcio game against AC Milan, Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan left the pitch after about half an hour of play and went to the dressing room. A few minutes earlier, Maignan had pointed out to FIFA referee Fabio Maresca about continued monkey noises from the Udinese ultra block, but was initially persuaded to continue.
Because the insults continued, Maignan eventually left the field. Several Milan players followed the 28-year-old French national goalkeeper, who comes from Cayenne in the overseas department of French Guiana, into the dressing room. The game could only be continued after a break of around ten minutes.
After the game, Maignan said of the Udinese ultras: “They imitated monkey sounds. Something like that shouldn't happen in the world of football and you have to react to it.” He didn't want to continue the game, but then decided with the team that the encounter should go ahead: “I felt everyone's support. “During the break in the game, the Udinese players tried to influence their supporters. The stadium spokesman also called on the Ultras to stop the racist insults.
“Disgusting insults”
After the game, Maignan was widely praised for his behavior and received support from his home country. “We are all with you. Still the same problems and still no solution,” wrote Kylian Mbappé on the X platform (formerly Twitter). National team colleague Antoine Griezmann said: “We stand together, Mike! No to racism!”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incident in Udine and similar events at English second division club Sheffield Wednesday's game against Coventry City player Kasey Palmer as “absolutely disgusting and completely unacceptable” and called for “automatic exclusions” for teams whose supporters are ” uttering “vile insults” and global stadium bans for racists. In Udine, the local authorities and the Italian State Security began investigations to identify the racist Udine Ultras.
Udinese said on Sunday that the club would “work with all investigative authorities to ensure an immediate investigation into the incident.” All necessary measures should therefore be taken to identify and punish those responsible.
The Italian sports newspapers unanimously condemned the incidents in their Sunday editions as a “disgrace to Udine”. The “Quotidiano Sportivo” headlined: “Three Milan goals against racism.” AC Milan won the game 3-2 with a goal in stoppage time by substitute Swiss international Noah Okafor.
Previously, the second “Joker”, former Frankfurt Bundesliga professional Luka Jović, equalized in the 83rd minute. After Milan's early lead, Udinese equalized a few minutes after the break in the game, with Milan goalkeeper Maignan looking indisposed, and took the lead after just over an hour of play. With the win, Milan consolidated third place in the table, while Udinese remained in 16th place.
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