Figures from PSG star Kylian Mbappe to FIFA head Gianni Infantino expressed their support for Mike Maignan after the Milan goalkeeper was racially abused by some Udinese fans.
The French goalkeeper and his Rossoneri teammates briefly left the pitch in the first half of clash with the Friulian outfit on Saturday night after some fans behind the goal continued shouting racist abuse at the shot stopper.
Milan went on to win the match 3-2 after a late goal from Noah Okafor and the focus of discussions afterward centred around Maignan and the disgusting abuse he received, which is unfortunately the latest in a long line of such incidents in Serie A.
Various figures from across the footballing world, including Mbappe, Infantino and Maignan’s Milan teammates came out in support of the goalkeeper.
Mbappe took to Twitter, writing: “You are a long way from being just Mike Maignan. We are all with you, Mike. Still the same problems and still NO solutions. Enough is enough! NO TO RACISM.”
Tu es très loin d’être seul Mike Maignan.
On est tous avec toi.
Toujours les mêmes problèmes et toujours AUCUNE solution.
Trop c’est trop !!!!!!!!!!!!NON AU RACISME. ⛔️✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/uqlCLMr00x
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) January 20, 2024
Infantino posted a statement on Instagram, attempting to provide a solution.
Yacine Adli shared his support on Instagram, writing: “Whoever hits one of us hits us all. With you through thick and thin my brother.”
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Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright shared the video of Maignan and his Milan teammates walking off the pitch, commenting: “Solidarity from the rest of the team. Keep walking off!! We did ‘playing through it’ and nothing has changed. Points deductions needed, the fines are pointless.”
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾✊🏾 solidarity from the rest of the team. Keep walking off!! We did “playing through it” and nothing has changed. Points deductions needed, the fines are pointless. https://t.co/OzAGL5pDp7
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 20, 2024
Rafael Leao took to Instagram to express his support for his teammate, saying: “We are together brother. Say no to racism, football don’t need that.”
Journalists and fans also took to social media to express their support of the Milan goalkeeper.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan walks off after racist abuse from opposition fans at Udinese. Team follows.Good.
Not here for that any more.
The players mean more than the game. https://t.co/A8RPAcVP5d— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) January 20, 2024
Genuinely love the fact that all the Milan players accepted to go back to the locker room immediately.
No one trying to convince Maignan to play on or to ask for explanations, just everyone giving him their support and backing.
Lovely group ❤️ https://t.co/jvMExNsXzf— Saturnion 🙂 (@saturnion13) January 20, 2024
Bravo,Mike Maignan.
((Also, referee Maresca, his Milan teammates and the Udinese players who embraced him and supported his walking off)
Hope Udinese identify those responsible.— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) January 20, 2024
Respect to Maignan who left the field. Not many would have the courage to do that in front of fans and cameras. I don’t get how he’s supposed to go out and play the rest of the game in front of those who just racially abused him. Shameful
— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) January 20, 2024