Another racist incident in Serie A: Goalkeeper Mike Maignan was racially insulted by opposing supporters during Milan’s 3-2 win in Udine on Saturday evening. The game was interrupted for around six minutes – after which Maignan made a statement
Milan left the pitch in the 33rd minute. At this point, the Rossoneri were actually on course. They led 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and were heading for their fourth win in their fifth game of the new year, but it was clear that soccer was no longer the issue. Mike Maignan had a chat with referee Fabio Maresca, then was consoled by his teammates before disappearing into the dressing room.
Milan’s goalkeeper had been racially abused by Udine supporters and now left the pitch to escape the situation and make a statement. The game was stopped, Maignan’s team-mates followed him into the dressing room, while Udine’s players went into the stands and intervened with their fans.
Later, in an interview with Sky Italia, Maignan said of the incident and the walk to the dressing room: “I didn’t want to come back.” After around six minutes, however, the game finally resumed. Milan initially squandered their lead, but turned it around in the closing stages and ultimately ran out winners thanks to goals from Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor.
“The right answer was to get the three points,” said Maignan after the game and then addressed the offenders with a message: “Anyone who makes this monkey noise against me should stay at home. We players have to set an example. It’s not the first time this has happened. In order to help all players who are affected by something like this, the perpetrators must be punished. They are ignorant people. “
