Udinese fans forced a brief suspension of play when they directed racist chants at AC Milan goalie Mike Maignan during a match at Bluenergy Filed on Jan. 20. Maignan, who is black, walked toward a referee and then off the field at the 33rd minute, followed by his teammates.
Play resumed after about 10 minutes. Maignan addressed the incident after the game.
“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.”
“No, I don’t want to meet anyone, I don’t want to talk to them,” Maignan said when asked if he would be open to talking with the abusive fans. “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.”
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Sean Beckwith
