The authorities have launched an investigation into a total of ten Udine fans for racism towards Milan keeper Mike Maignan. One of them has now been banned from the stadium for life
Udinese lost 3-2 to Milan on Saturday evening – but the dominant theme was not a sporting one. The visiting French goalkeeper Mike Maignan was racially abused by ten Udinese fans during the match. This was proven by footage that Udinese provided to the authorities after the incident.
One of them has now been identified and has been banned from the stadium for life with immediate effect. The man was mainly responsible for the racist chants last Saturday, as the images show.
Investigations continue
Investigations are continuing into the other people who are also alleged to have taken part in the shouts and chants. This was announced by the Italian Serie A club from Friuli on Monday evening
Following the racism incident, the match had to be temporarily suspended. Milan’s keeper first spoke to referee Fabio Maresca and was then hugged by teammates. Maignan then walked off the pitch into the dressing room and returned a short time later. The game was then able to resume.
Numerous fellow players and sports officials showed their solidarity with Maignan. The keeper sharply criticized Udinese afterwards. “The Udinese club, who only spoke of a stoppage in play as if nothing had happened: You are complicit,” the Frenchman wrote on social media.