Mike Maignan has revealed what was said to him during the sickening incident of racial abuse during tonight’s game against Udinese, and he sent a message to the perpetrators.
It wasn’t long after Milan went 1-0 up that Maignan alerted his team-mates and the officials that he was getting racially abused, but a warning had already been broadcast over the PA system.
This left the Rossoneri players with no choice but to go off the pitch while the goalkeeper was understandably very angry and upset with what had taken place, yet the game resumed a few minutes later.
There were then FIGC representatives stood behind Maignan’s goal and recording to see if there was evidence of further racist abuse, as per Football Italia, while ultimately Milan went on and got the win thanks to Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor’s late strikes.
Maignan spoke to Sky after the game in order to address exactly what happened and talk through his perspective of things as the victim, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
What happened?
“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.
“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.”
Everyone supported you…
“We have a great club, a very strong group, we are a family. Everyone supported me. Then we went onto the field with more desire to win the match for this reason here. The right answer is to win.”
Given Milan’s position in the table, are you looking up or down?
“Now I don’t look at the table, there are no points to count, but just think match after match, win, give our best. Today we can’t look ahead or behind the standings, otherwise we’ll lose points.”
What would you say if you met the person who shouted racist chants at you?
“Now I don’t want to meet anyone, I don’t want to talk to them. 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.”
Forza, Magic Mike, we love you.
That’s patience I do not have. Props to Mike coming back out and finishing the match. Udinese need to play behind closed doors for a while after this, absolutely pathetic from them.
Yeah salute to Mike. If i’m on his shoes, i will stop playing at all.
banning anyone involve in racist chants for life from entering stadium will put end to it
Would. But Calcio has not balls. They will keep denying the problem and do nothing. Except maybe suspend MM16 for a match or two.
*no balls
i agree with you bb that’s why italian football gonna lose alot
As for me any team that there fans are doing racism should be deducted 20 points from team so that the will learn a lesson