[January 22, AFP]AC Milan were subjected to racist chants from opposing fans during their match against Udinese in Round 21 of Italy’s Serie A on the 20th. )’s guardian Mike Maignan has said the club, fans and law enforcement authorities are “complicit” in keeping silent about discrimination.

Maignan, who was subjected to monkey chants from Udinese supporters, spoke of the herd mentality that weakens the sense of responsibility. “It’s easy to be in the crowd and act anonymously from the stands,” he wrote on his X (formerly Twitter), “to be in the stands, see everything, hear everything, but remain silent.” The chosen audience members are all complicit.”

Maignan said he first heard the racist chants when he went to pick up the ball for the first goal kick, at which point he “didn’t say anything,” but “then the second goal kick… “The same thing happened to me when I was in the game. So I called the bench and the fourth official and explained the situation. I told them I couldn’t play in this situation.” In response, the referee suspended the match for 5 minutes.

Maignan asserted that “Udinese, a club that only talks about the suspension and acts as if nothing happened, is also an accomplice.” “If so much has happened and they do nothing, then the authorities and prosecutors are complicit.”

This is not the first time Maignan has faced discrimination in Italy, having been targeted by Juventus supporters in September 2021. “It’s not the first time something like this has happened to me, and I’m not the first person to go through something like this,” Menyan said. “We made statements, we did awareness campaigns, we put regulations in place, and nothing changed.” He is complaining.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is scheduled to decide on disciplinary action against Udinese on the 23rd, which could include fines or closure of seats. Udinese announced on the 21st that they will cooperate with the investigating authorities.

On the same day, Udine mayor Alberto Felice De Toni also emphasized his solidarity with Menhão and asked him to visit the city again as he would grant him honorary citizenship. “Our city is open to everyone,” the mayor said, adding that “Udine is not discriminatory.”

In response to the incident, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that fans who committed discrimination would be permanently banned from stadiums around the world, and that supporters who used abusive language would be automatically confiscated. We are calling for a match. (c)AFP