Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan issued a statement following sustained racist insults from Udinese fans. ‘If you do nothing, you will be complicit.’
The anti-racism protocol was followed at the Bluenergy Stadium Friday night, with the Rossoneri star alerting the referee to improper slurs.
The first time a warning was issued, the official paused play for five minutes; the second time, the crowd was told that a third would result in the contest being abandoned.
Maignan has received a lot of support from all over the football world, and he has now published his own statement on social media.
“The attack was not directed at the player. It was a dude. He is a father of a family. something is not the first time something has occurred to me. And I’m not the first person to experience this.
“We produced press releases, advertising campaigns, and protocols, but nothing has changed. Today, the entire system must accept responsibility.
“1) The offenders of these actions, because it is possible to act in a group and anonymously on a platform.
“2) You are implicated in the actions of the spectators who were in the stand, saw everything, heard everything, and chose to remain mute.
“3) Udinese, as a club, is implicated in the match interruption, as if nothing had happened.
“4) The authorities and the prosecutor, with everything that is going on, if you do nothing, you will be complicit.
“I’ve already told you, and it bears repeating: I’m not a victim. And I’d want to thank my club, AC Milan, my teammates, the referee, the Udinese players, and everyone who messaged, called, and supported me both privately and publicly. I can’t respond to everyone, but I see you and we are together.
“This is a difficult fight that will require time and fortitude. But it’s a struggle we can win.”
The Udinese are referred to by their official Twitter account, which only sent a message during the game stating that the game had been suspended for a few minutes without saying why, citing Maignan’s racial remarks.
Udinese didn’t report the event on their website or social media until late this morning.
Ce n’est pas le joueur qui a été attaqué. C’est l’homme. C’est le père de famille. Ce n’est pas la première fois que ça m’arrive. Et je ne suis pas le premier à qui ça arrive.
On a fait des communiqués, des campagnes de publicité, des protocoles et rien n’a changé.… pic.twitter.com/47tfcW4oNo
— Magic Mike Maignan (@mmseize) January 21, 2024
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