AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan hits out at Udinese fans for enabling racist abuse towards him in damning statement and claims the club is 'complicit' for their actions too - after he and his team-mates walked off the pitch in protest during Serie A clash

AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan has taken to social media to share his statementHe called out those who he think were enabling the behaviour on Saturday nightFootball is changing... managers can't rely on their reputation. Just look at the Golden Generation - It's All Kicking Off 

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has taken to social media to share his statement after being targeted with alleged racist abuse on during their game on Saturday.

Maignan and his team-mates walked off the pitch during the first half of their Serie A clash at Udinese on Saturday evening due to the vile abuse he was receiving.

Maignan left the pitch shortly after his team had taken the lead, indicating to referee Fabio Maresca he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli.

Maignan has now taken to social media to call out those who he believes were enabling the behaviour on Saturday night.

The 28-year-old said the supporters who witnessed the verbal attack and didn’t say anything should be regarded as ‘accomplices’.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has taken to social media to share his statement after being targeted with alleged racist abuse on during their game on Saturday

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Maignan also said the staff members at Udinese who had ‘only talked about interrupting the match’ rather than taking action were ‘complicit’.

Maignan’s statement read: ‘It’s not the player who got attacked. This is the man. He is the father of the family. It’s not the first time this has happened to me. And I’m not the first one to have this happen to.

‘We’ve made releases, publicity campaigns, protocols and nothing has changed.

‘Today, it’s a whole system that has to take responsibility:

• The authors of these acts, because it is easy to act in a group, in the anonymity of a tribune.
• The spectators who were in the stands, who saw everything, who heard everything but chose to keep quiet, you are accomplices.
• The Udinese club, who only talked about interruption of the match, as if it was nothing, you are complicit.
• The authorities and the prosecutor, with everything that’s going on, if you don’t do anything, YOU WILL ALSO BE ACCOMPLISHED.

‘Told you before and again: I’m not a VICTIM. And I want to say thank you to my club AC Milan, my teammates, the referee, the Udinese players and everyone who sent me messages, called me, supported me privately and publicly. I can’t respond to everyone but I see you and we are TOGETHER.

‘It’s a tough fight, it’s going to take time and courage. But it’s a fight we will win.’

Maignan and his team-mates walked off the pitch during the first half of their Serie A clash at Udinese on Saturday evening due to the vile abuse he was receiving

Maignan left the pitch shortly after his team had taken the lead, indicating to referee Fabio Maresca he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli

The 28-year-old French international said the supporters who witnessed the verbal attack and didn’t say anything should be regarded as ‘accomplices’

The French goalkeeper was the first player to ask for the match to be suspended due to racist abuse. He asked said the referee: ‘Did you hear that too?’.

After leaving the pitch for about ten minutes, Maignan and his team-mates returned to the pitch angry along with the entire team that had supported him.

Many Udinese players hugged and kissed the goalkeeper who consciously chose to send a signal asking the referee to suspend the match.

The 28-year-old’s return to the pitch was marked by whistles from the Curva in a surreal atmosphere at the Stadio Friuli.

After being reassured by referee Maresca, Maignan returned between the posts. But, it wasn’t long before the abuse started again.

Following an announcement from the stadium speakers, the chants continued and the French goalkeeper together with other team-mates left the field again.

‘We can’t play football like this,’ Maignan said after the match. ‘At the first goal kick I heard monkey chants and I didn’t say anything’.

‘Second goal kick, they did it again so I called the bench and fourth referee. There needs to be very harsh sanctions. Just talking does nothing’.

On Sunday, AC Milan said they would not post on social media as a show of support for Maignan.

‘Following the unacceptable events during the match against Udinese, AC Milan has decided to not post any social media content today, 21 January 2024, in support of Mike Maignan and the fight against racism. #WeRespAct,’ the club said in a post on X.

Kylian Mbappe took to social media to send his support to his international team-mate, writing on X: ‘You are very far from being alone Mike Maignan.

‘We are all with you. Still the same problems and still NO solution. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!! NO TO RACISM.’

The match started again despite Maignan’s gesture against yet another episode of racism in Italy.