Match defaults due to racial slurs? FIFA president calls for new measure, blames AC Milan match

AC Milan played the game of the 22nd round of Serie A against Bologna on Saturday evening at their ground, only drawing 2-2. The Rossoneri stopped the game in the 16th minute to show their support for Mike Maignano. The AC goalkeeper was the target of racist abuse on the Udinese pitch.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan faced verbal attacks in the recent Serie A round 21 match. And not just any. Although the Rossoneri won 3-2 at Udinese, the French goalkeeper was subjected to a number of racist insults.

As a result, in the 16th minute, the Rossoneri stopped their Saturday home match against Bologna to show their support for their goalkeeper.

It should be noted that racism is a global problem and each league fights it differently. Although Udinese received the logical punishment for their fans – the closure of the stadium for one match. The club also gave five of its supporters lifetime bans.

However, the problems with racist abuse against players are not to the liking of FIFA itself, whose president has called for new action following the Udinese incident.

This is supposed to be quite simple. Gianni Infantino has urged that matches of teams whose supporters commit racist insults be contumed.

AC Milan dropped points at home for a 2-2 draw

It should be added, during the stoppage in play, a quote from Martin Luther King also appeared on the screen at San Siro – “darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” Whether Infantino’s proposal will pass is questionable, we will have to wait for more information of a more official nature.

“Today’s initiative is tangible proof of our unwavering commitment to fight racism and hate. As a club we stand for zero tolerance towards discrimination,” said Giorgio Furlani, AC Milan’s chief executive.

AC lost important points at home to Bologna, however, when they drew 2-2. Joshua Zirkzee put the visitors in front in the 29th minute and Olivier Giroud missed a penalty in the 42nd minute. However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored three minutes later to level the match at 1-1.

The Rossoneri missed another penalty kick in the 74th minute, this time by the otherwise unerring Theo Hernández. Loftus-Cheek put the home side back in front in the 83rd minute. In the second half, however, Riccardo Orsolini scored the visitors’ one point from a penalty.

Source: Serie A, Eurosport, X – EuroFoot