Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan walked off the pitch after he was subjected to repeated racist insults from some Udinese fans behind the goal.
The shot-stopper had already warned the referee and fourth official that he was receiving abuse from the stands behind him in the opening stages of the Serie A game.
As per protocol, a statement was read out in the Bluenergy Stadium warning that a continuation of this behaviour would result in the game being suspended.
The monkey chants persisted after Milan took the lead and Maignan alerted the referee, who called a temporary halt to the match.
The France international was understandably furious and stormed off down the tunnel, moving to take off his gloves.
His Milan teammates ran down the tunnel after him and tried to calm him down, with reassuring hugs and kisses.
After another statement was read out and the Udinese players went to personally beg their ‘fans’ to stop, play resumed with Maignan in goal.
At least two representatives of the FIGC went to that area behind the goal to film and record the crowd, seeking evidence of racist abuse in case the game would be suspended permanently.
Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates walked off the pitch briefly following abuse directed at the goalkeeper from the stands.
We all are with you, Mike! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ER2PnXs7pt
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 20, 2024
There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled.
We are with you, Mike.#WeRespAct pic.twitter.com/GR52R7RR7G
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 20, 2024
Udinese-Milan was suspended after Mike Maignan was racially abused by Udinese fans.
The match has resumed after Milan originally exited the pitch. pic.twitter.com/1Kv9pvMBNh
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2024
Cori razzisti in #UdineseMilan 🚨
Maignan non ci sta e ferma la partita 😡#Maignan #Milan #DAZN pic.twitter.com/mTWwKqdZHY— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) January 20, 2024
#UdineseMilan 0-1
38 – The match was halted for a few minutes but we're back under way now
⚪️⚫️ #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #WePlayForU
— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) January 20, 2024
So glad we won this and Okafor scored the winner. Udinese should see their fans suspended from further games.
There must be a way of identifying the fans who hurled abuse – and then ban them for life.