Milan midfielder Yunus Musah admits Mike Maignan didn’t want to continue playing after receiving racist insults in an away game at Udinese, but the Rossoneri ‘proved to be a united group.’
Maignan was targeted by racist Udinese fans on Saturday during a Serie A game at the Blue Energy Stadium. The game was suspended twice and the France international left the pitch.
“Fans always shout something against you, but enough is enough. It had already happened to me at Valencia, and Saturday as well,” Musah said during an event in Milan on Tuesday night, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Mike didn’t want to continue, but we remained close to him and didn’t leave him alone. These actions must have consequences. Something must be made and our reaction on the pitch was appropriate. It gave us the certainty that we are a united group.”
During the event, called ‘All the colours of sports, ‘ USMNT international Musah had a conference call with students in secondary schools in New York, London and Nairobi to talk about inclusivity, tolerance and the fight against racism
Udinese have been ordered to play a game behind closed doors following racist insults aimed at Maignan. This means they will host Monza at the beginning of February with an empty stadium.
Milan eventually secured a 3-2 victory in Udine on Saturday. The Rossoneri will host Thiago Motta’s Bologna in the next Serie A game on Saturday, January 27.
Banning these fans and/or emptty part of stadiums won’t stop racism, the clubs must also pay the fines in large sum of money. Things will always be the same in Italian football even within 10 decades.