Mike Maignan and his AC Milan teammates walked off the pitch during the opening half of their Serie A clash against Udinese on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Maignan left the encounter briefly after his side had gone in front, apparently informing Fabio Maresca he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli.
Mike Maignan was the first player, who requested that that match be suspended because of racial slurs.
Based on what was reported by the DAZN cameras, the French shot-stopper said: “Did you hear that too?”.
Following his departure from the pitch for about 10 minutes alongside his teammates, they all returned angrily to the turf.
Several players of Udinese hugged and kissed Maignan, who inadvertently opted to send a message requesting that the referee suspend the game.
The goalkeeper's return to the turf was occasioned by whistles from the Curva in an unbelievable atmosphere.
Mike Maignan was reassured by referee Maresca that the game could proceed and he returned to do his duties, manning the post for the Italian giants.
Unfortunately, after an announcement from the stadium speakers, the chants progressed and the Frenchman subsequently exited the pitch with his teammates.
Speaking following the clash, Maignan said: “We can't play football like this, at the first goal kick I heard monkey chants and I didn't say anything.
“Second goal kick, they did it again so I called the bench and fourth referee.
“There needs to be very harsh sanctions. Just talking does nothing”.
Captain and teammate of Mike Maignan with the French national team also stood behind the 28-year-old, taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) to write:
“You are very far from being alone Mike Maignan. We are all with you.
“Still the same problems and still NO solution. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!! NO TO RACISM.”
The match also restarted later despite the gesture of Maignan, as Italy witnessed another episode of racism.
Anyway, AC Milan ran away 3-2 winners over Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, courtesy of goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Jovic, and Noah Okafor.
Loftus-Cheek had taken the away side ahead in the 31st minute, but 12 minutes later, Lazar Samardzic equalized for Udinese.
In the second period, Florian Thauvin put the home side ahead, before Stefano Pioli's side responded in the dying embers of the game through goals from Jovic and Okafor in the 83rd and 3rd minute of stoppage time respectively.
That result sees AC Milan occupy the 3rd spot on the Serie A table, with 45 points from 21 matches.
The Rossoneri return to action on Saturday, January 27, 2024, facing Bologna, in a Matchday 22 Serie A clash at the San Siro.
Meanwhile, Mike Maignan has made 25 appearances for AC Milan this campaign, keeping 9 clean sheets thus far.
Maignan left the encounter briefly after his side had gone in front, apparently informing Fabio Maresca he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli.
Mike Maignan was the first player, who requested that that match be suspended because of racial slurs.
Based on what was reported by the DAZN cameras, the French shot-stopper said: “Did you hear that too?”.
Following his departure from the pitch for about 10 minutes alongside his teammates, they all returned angrily to the turf.
Several players of Udinese hugged and kissed Maignan, who inadvertently opted to send a message requesting that the referee suspend the game.
The goalkeeper's return to the turf was occasioned by whistles from the Curva in an unbelievable atmosphere.
Mike Maignan was reassured by referee Maresca that the game could proceed and he returned to do his duties, manning the post for the Italian giants.
Unfortunately, after an announcement from the stadium speakers, the chants progressed and the Frenchman subsequently exited the pitch with his teammates.
Speaking following the clash, Maignan said: “We can't play football like this, at the first goal kick I heard monkey chants and I didn't say anything.
“Second goal kick, they did it again so I called the bench and fourth referee.
“There needs to be very harsh sanctions. Just talking does nothing”.
Captain and teammate of Mike Maignan with the French national team also stood behind the 28-year-old, taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) to write:
“You are very far from being alone Mike Maignan. We are all with you.
“Still the same problems and still NO solution. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!! NO TO RACISM.”
The match also restarted later despite the gesture of Maignan, as Italy witnessed another episode of racism.
Anyway, AC Milan ran away 3-2 winners over Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, courtesy of goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Jovic, and Noah Okafor.
Loftus-Cheek had taken the away side ahead in the 31st minute, but 12 minutes later, Lazar Samardzic equalized for Udinese.
In the second period, Florian Thauvin put the home side ahead, before Stefano Pioli's side responded in the dying embers of the game through goals from Jovic and Okafor in the 83rd and 3rd minute of stoppage time respectively.
That result sees AC Milan occupy the 3rd spot on the Serie A table, with 45 points from 21 matches.
The Rossoneri return to action on Saturday, January 27, 2024, facing Bologna, in a Matchday 22 Serie A clash at the San Siro.
Meanwhile, Mike Maignan has made 25 appearances for AC Milan this campaign, keeping 9 clean sheets thus far.