Kevin-Prince Boateng has spoken about the racist abuse that Mike Maignan suffered during the Udinese game at the weekend, while also giving his thoughts on several players in the current squad.
On Saturday, Italian football had yet another shameful incident as Maignan was repeatedly subjected to racist chanting and insults, which led referee Fabio Maresca to temporarily suspend the match in the 34th minute.
MilanNews contacted Boateng, a former Milan player who unfortunately experienced the same feelings of anger and sadness 11 years ago.
The Ghanian was playing in a friendly match against Pro Patria on 3 January 2013 when he stopped the game to protest against the fans who were racially abusing him.
Today the former midfielder is collaborating with football’s governing body FIFA – together with other athletes and former footballers – to move concretely on these issues.
Eleven years have passed since the Pro Patria game and yet we are still here to comment on these incidents. Has little or nothing changed since then?
“I would say that zero progress has been made. If Mike Maignan finds himself having to leave the field in 2024, it means that nothing has happened. It’s a shame. I understand what he felt.
“Now I’m working with FIFA on the problem of racism and mental health of players to help them. Vinicius is helping us as well as Rio Ferdinand. The goal is to kick racism out of stadiums. We can’t stand it anymore.”
Would it be important for more players to find the courage to make gestures like Maignan’s?
“The problem is that only black players always speak. We need everyone. Because if we talk about the war in Ukraine or Gaza we are all on the front line saying that these are things that must stop existing. Even on racism there is a need for everyone to put their face to it.”
Have you spoken to Maignan? Do you want to send him a message through this interview?
“Certainly. I wrote to him twice: once to tell him he’s phenomenal and once now, after this. But he never answers me… I’ve gone out of fashion (laughs). If he wants, I am available to help him, because I know very well what situation he is in .”
What do you think of the fact that Udinese banned the first fan identified from the stadium for life following Saturday night’s events?
“It is a very important gesture, because they acted without waiting for anyone. They must be supported. Furthermore, they have marked a fundamental dividing line because, now, anyone who does less than what they did will have done something wrong in terms of sanctions.”
What do you think about the fact that there was also a line of thought aimed at passing off Maignan as delusional and that he invented things?
“When someone makes a mistake, they try to blame someone else. We know how it works. Maignan is a victim. It’s not nice to see a team walk away from the field. Mike did great. I think that with those shouts [of abuse] they wanted to distract him and hurt his heart.”
Could an immediate 3-0 forfeit for the team whose fans are guilty be the definitive move to eradicate the problem?
“I think that if there was this rule, no one would do it anymore, because you would end up causing your favourite team to lose. A game behind closed doors isn’t much use.
“We need objective evidence with cameras and microphones that can immediately catch those who do these things and leave them out of stadiums forever.”
How important could Ibrahimovic have been in keeping Maignan calm in those moments?
“Zlatan has had many moments like this, receiving many insults from opposing fans who wanted to disturb him. He is a very strong man and has put his personal experience at Maignan’s service.
“He has an incredible mentality and having a person like that by your side helps you a lot because you know you can lean on him.
“In general, I think that his return to Milan is a very important factor, because for me he – at this moment – is the most important figure within the club: he manages to be a good glue between the team, the coach and the club.”
Since 2013, social media has been the terrain of anonymous hatred. Wouldn’t it be time for these platforms to also start taking real action against those who foment hatred?
“For sure. We live in a world where everyone can insult you, and in very strong ways. I don’t understand how social media doesn’t require real data from people who sign up to their platforms and then get fines.
“After the matches you get a lot of insults. It has become too easy and there is unwarranted malice. People think that players are all mentally strong because they are beautiful, rich and famous. Not everyone has Ibrahimovic’s mind.”
In your various experiences, have you noticed any differences in the countries you have been to on the topic of racism?
“There is a problem in Italy, but Italy is not a racist country. It’s there elsewhere too. It happens more at the stadium because it has a stronger sounding board, but it can happen anywhere. Even in Spain and England there are serious incidents.”
Have you found anyone sensitive to the issue of racism?
“I’m very sad because in the end everyone says we have to act but then nothing ever happens. This is the world, everyone thinks for themselves.
“There are few who take the initiative, then when the moment comes they are afraid to expose themselves. I admit that even when I was a player I was afraid of the fans’ reaction on social media, now I can talk about it more freely.”
Could the Maignan incident, compared to yours 13 years ago, be a point of no return?
“Yes, because Udinese did an important thing by disqualifying the fan. If it happens again with another team, that club cannot avoid taking the same action. Today I am a different person thanks to religion, to Jesus, where racism does not exist.”
What causes players’ psychological suffering?
“Today, more than before, there is even more pressure due to social media. Social media is a weapon of destruction that can destroy a person mentally. It can cause you pressure, panic attacks and anxiety.
“I don’t know a player who doesn’t have mental problems. I also had depression for a month, I was empty. I was a strong man then went home crying.
“People think that earning ten million a year means being happy, but those ten million are the cause of problems. You can’t buy mental things.”
Would you lke to meet Maignan at Milanello?
“Of course, I know he needs a hand. We don’t know if he is well, we need to stay close to him.”
What is your role like at FIFA?
“I am an advisor to Infantino, I am very close to Rio Ferdinand, we speak with Vinicius Junior, we will speak with Thiago Silva, with Rakitic, we are contacting several players and exes to involve people who put their face to it.”
Loftus-Cheek has arrived at Milan, do you see yourself in him?
“He is very strong, he had already done excellent things at Chelsea. Italy is perfect for Ruben, Serie A is missing a player of his quality, with his characteristics. He reminds me a bit but also Nainggolan.
“He is a box-to-box player, he can score goals and assists, and he is a warrior. But there is only one like Prince Boateng!”
That incident 13 years ago was horrible. Probably the most blatant show of racism I have seen in football. But it made me so proud when Ambrosini ordered the whole team to walk off with Prince. The last true Captain of Milan 🫡