Davide Gabrielli, the fan who racially abused Mike Maignan on Sunday, wants to meet the Milan goalkeeper to apologise and tries to justify his actions saying he ‘had drunk too much.’
Gabrielli was identified by Police and Juventus and is expected to be banned from the Allianz Stadium after targeting Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan with racist insults before the match between the Bianconeri and the Rossoneri on Sunday.
“I was a fool. That awful thing doesn’t’ belong to me and I apologize to everyone, starting with Mike Maignan. I am not a racist,” he told La Voce di Rovigo.
“I had drunk too much, I was out of my mind and I did something indefensible,” he continued.
“I will take responsibility and I ask to meet the goalkeeper to apologise in person.”
However, Gabrielli was lucid enough to take a video while insulting Maignan and post it on a Telegram channel, writing: ‘Mission accomplished.’
Unfortunately, there have been many cases of racism in Italian stadiums since the beginning of the season.
Milan midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessié were targeted by a group of Lazio fans at San Siro, leading the FIGC to open an investigation.
Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic also received racial abuse during La Viola’s away clash against Atalanta.
Serie A stadiums have reopened to 50 per cent capacity since the beginning of the season, but will soon open up to 75 per cent with a plan to reach 100 per cent by the end of October.