The fan who held up a Paolo Maldini shirt during AC Milan’s loss to Atalanta has shared his side of the story.
During Sunday’s game, the Curva Sud staged a protest against CEO Giorgio Furlani that garnered worldwide attention. This was joined by a social media petition that reached 50,000 signatures, confirming that something has definitely broken between the management and the supporters.
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There is a growing section of the fanbase that believe a sense of ambition and Milanismo has been lacking in recent seasons under RedBird. Of these, there are some that think Paolo Maldini’s sacking was a mistake – as Alessandro Costacurta did – and that his return should be explored.
MilanNews spoke exclusively with a fan who started a chant of Maldini’s name in the game at the weekend, Alex Rota Conti. He shared his perspective on what happened, having gone viral.
Let’s start with the basics: tell us a little about yourself..
“I’ve been a Milan fan since I was little, at least since elementary school, since I was 6. I’m 48 years old, and I’ll turn 49 on August 25th, so I was born in 1977. I don’t have a season ticket to the stadium because I’m disabled.
👕 A fan held up a Maldini shirt at San Siro last night and was applauded 👏
📹 IG: eleonoraminetti pic.twitter.com/EX0PehuNbt
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) May 11, 2026
“I used to go through the accreditation system, but from this year, as you surely know, disabled people also have to buy season tickets, which I didn’t do, yet I buy tickets to come to San Siro game by game just to see Milan.”
On Sunday, you also continued your silent protest by holding up Paolo Maldini’s shirt, starting a chant that spread throughout San Siro: what’s the meaning behind your gesture?
“I simply want Paolo Maldini back as director, because he embodies the values of AC Milan and the love for AC Milan.”
AC Milan are going through a difficult period, both sportingly and otherwise: what would you fans like to see done?
“We want an ownership that cares about AC Milan, not just about personal gain. They need to understand that Milan is about history and glory, not a personal business to be milked and profited from.”
The man (in a negative sense) of the moment is Giorgio Furlani: what led you to point the finger at him? Why him and not the entire team?
“Because I have the impression that he’s not only advancing the company’s strategy, but that he’s also going beyond his own responsibilities, sticking his nose not only into the financial side but also into the sporting side, which in my opinion, and not just mine, he’s incapable of. I’m also against the entire management team, let’s be clear, not just Giorgio Furlani.”
What do you hope will happen this summer? At the club level, obviously, considering the protest you’re carrying out?
“I hope, and I think I can speak for many other AC Milan fans, for a change of ownership and the return of Paolo Maldini.”
“but from this year, as you surely know, disabled people also have to buy season tickets”
🙈🙈🙈🙈
This is what Milan has become. I didn’t hear about this. I think the american needs to leave this year. Even is using violence towards him to explain how things are…
*even if
How come nobody is bringing up the fact of Theo being in charge of all these parties consuming laughing gas and all these videos coming out of all the players consuming laughing gas and partying the night before games? Been waiting for an article about it
With Calhanoglu no less…
Shhh🤫🤫🤫.
That’s always happened, Kaka and Seedorf were probably the only guys that didn’t party, the rest have always partied, but still managed to achieve success. Have you listened to Pato speak about his time at Milan?
So doing laughing gas which is considered a drug and escorting girls is all good? I understand going to a club having drinks or whatever but that? And all the videos of all them its no coincidence they’ve all left with leao soon to be next.
Oh, it’s the re*ards police. Nobody cares. They did this in the Scudetto season and won? Right?
What do you think Vinicius Junior does in his free time? Or any young player in any Premier League club? Most of them have house parties like this because of re*ards like you, the “moral police”. They can’t go out because you couldn’t hold the insults how they are unprofessional, so you won’t see them at clubs that much. Too many re*ards that think they know how someone should live. Same with “escort girls”, they pay so they don’t read about it in the papers tomorrow, to many stupid ho*es that want to become famous like that. Also, laughing gas effects are probably gone in 15 minutes, so whatever.
Lmao you are a reta*d buddy. Probably cause your a morte di fame to think that its normal for players to do laughing gas. Ya if they were so good then imagine what the team could have done had they not been doing that. Go do some with them and f off.
Exactly. Suddenly that is the problem but those players actually won the title for Milan. It wasn’t an issue. Calhanoglu seems to be doing fine at Inter. I guess the laughing gas improves Inter players and messes up Milans, so that is the point? 😀 These people are incredible.
What does that have anything to do with Milan’s current situation?
Nobody said it did.
It shows the atmosphere at the club over the last 6,7 years. Tonali betting on games, Theo being a boss of escort party business, who knows what else will come out. Pioli needs a model for winning with these guys.
*medal
nahh.. its just a house party with helium gas.. maradona/ronaldinho/robinho has done worse than theo in terms of party.
Clowndinale, why you sacked Maldini ?
He was like “let my journey start from scratch with a clean slate.” Success in football requires continuity but unfortunately the legendary idi.ot fcked up his journey the very first moment he arrived here.