Udinese Ordered to Play Behind Closed Doors Following Racial Abuse Incident
Udinese Calcio has been ordered to host one match behind closed doors after AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was subjected to racial abuse during a Serie A match on Saturday. The decision was made by the league’s sports judge, Gerardo Mastrandrea, who deemed this the minimum appropriate sanction given Udinese’s proactive stance in seeking to identify the culprits.
The league’s judgment notes that the one-match stadium closure reflects Udinese’s willingness from the outset to identify those responsible for the incident. Additionally, five individuals suspected of shouting racist abuse at Maignan have been banned from attending any football matches in Italy for a period of five years.
Udinese has also taken its own action, banning fans from its Bluenergy Stadium indefinitely in response to the incident.
The match between Udinese and AC Milan was temporarily suspended for around 10 minutes following the chanting. Maignan had previously reported monkey chants directed at him to referee Fabio Maresca, prompting a stadium announcement asking fans to cease their behavior.
I was upset to have to go into the changing room like that, but I had everyone’s support, Maignan told DAZN. We talked and then we made the decision to go back out onto the field and make the appropriate response—to win this game. I really didn’t want to play anymore, but we’re a family, and I couldn’t leave my teammates like that.
This incident follows a previous instance of racial abuse towards Maignan during a match at Cagliari two seasons ago. Unfortunately, it is not an isolated incident, as there have been numerous cases of racism in Italian and European soccer, including instances involving Kevin-Prince Boateng, Mario Balotelli, and Romelu Lukaku.
AC Milan expressed its solidarity with Maignan on X, formerly Twitter: There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled. We are with you, Mike.
For those looking to report racism in football, Kick It Out offers an online reporting form as part of its efforts to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion in the sport.
For more information and to report incidents of racism, visit the Kick It Out website at:
Online Reporting Form | Kick It Out
Source: Sky Sports Football News
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