AC Milan match suspended after Maignan walks off pitch due to vile racist abuse

20 January 2024 , 21:04

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Both sets of players were taken off the pitch in the 33rd minute of the game (Image: TNT Sports)

AC Milan's game against Udinese was temporarily suspended on Saturday night after Mike Maignan suffered alleged racist abuse.

The Serie A fixture at Stadio Friuli in Udine was halted in the 33rd minute. After Milan goalkeeper Maignan was racially abused by a section of Udinese supporters, the referee blew his whistle and took both sets of players off the pitch.

Maignan, who was consoled by his team-mates, was visibly upset as he made his way down the tunnel. The game was suspended for around 10 minutes before resuming. Milan went on to win 3-2, a result that moves them to within six points of leaders Inter Milan.

Milan have condemned the racist abuse on X. They wrote: "There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled. We are with you, Mike."

Maignan told Sky in Italy at full-time: "They must face very strong sanctions, because talking is no longer of any use. They must stay at home and no longer come to the stadium."

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Maignan informed the referee and fourth official about the racist abuse, which was coming from behind his goal, early in Saturday night's game. The stadium announcer asked those fans involved to stop their appalling chants or else the game would be suspended.

Yet their disgraceful behaviour continued and the referee was left with no choice but to stop the game. The stadium announcer made another address to spectators, while Serie A wrote on X: "Serie A condemns any form of racism." There were no further delays.

Milan opened the scoring through former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek before Lazar Samardzic equalised shortly before half-time. Udinese then took the lead in the 62nd minute when former Newcastle star Florian Thauvin found the net.

Mike Maignan was visibly upset following the alleged racist abuse (Getty Images)

But Milan fought back. Luka Jovic equalised in the 83rd minute after heading in a loose ball before Noah Okafor scored in added time to snatch the win. The result is a huge blow for Udinese, who are now just a point above the relegation zone.

Maignan, 28, is one of Milan's most important players, having joined them from French side Lille in July 2021. He's played nearly 100 games for the Italian giants since that transfer and helped them win the Serie A title during his first season at the San Siro.

Maignan was also part of the Lille team that stunned Paris Saint-Germain to win the Ligue 1 title in 2021. He succeeded Hugo Lloris as France's No.1 goalkeeper last year and has won 13 senior caps to date, helping them win the Nations League finals in 2021.

Maignan made his senior debut for France in 2020 and was part of their squad for Euro 2020, which was delayed by 12 months due to the Covid pandemic. He missed France's run to the 2022 World Cup final, which they lost to Argentina, due to a calf injury.

Tom Blow