UK
Alleged racist abuse towards AC Milan and Coventry City players sparks international outcry for football to ‘take action’
Alleged racist remarks aimed at football players at two separate matches have sparked international outcry for the sport to “take action”.
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer both paused their respective matches on Friday and complained to their referees after they were subject to alleged racist abuse.
Palmer, 27, was seen going to retrieve the ball from behind the goal during the closing stages of Coventry City’s 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, before sharply turning away and motioning towards referee Anthony Backhouse before pointing towards the crowd at Hillsborough.
He appeared to indicate that an individual had made a monkey gesture towards him. A bottle thrown from the stand also appeared to strike another Coventry player.
Palmer pointed to the crowd as he told the referee about the alleged gesture. Pic: Sky Sports
Meanwhile, AC Milan players followed Maignan as he walked off the pitch at Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium in Italy, after he alleged individuals in the crowd made monkey chants towards him.
The incidents have triggered outrage from across the sport, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who called what happened at both games “totally abhorrent and completely unacceptable”.
The governing body boss called for the implementation of an “automatic forfeit” for any team whose fans have committed racism and caused a match to be abandoned “as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists”.
He called on all relevant stakeholders to “take action” adding: “FIFA and football shows full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination. Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”
Palmer alleged individuals made monkey chants towards him. Pic: Sky Sports
After the match at Hillsborough, Palmer said in a statement on X: “Disappointed to even have to come on here & write this. Racism is a disgrace… it has no place in the world, let alone football.
“I’m black and proud, and I am raising my three kids to be the exact same. I’ll be honest, it feels like things will never change, no matter how hard we try.
“Couple fans doing monkey chants don’t define a fan base – I appreciate all the love and support I’ve received”.
Read more from Sky News:
Toney scores after eight-month betting ban
Klopp offers to make Sven’s dying Liverpool wish come true
Coventry manager Mark Robins said it was part of the game for supporters to “have a go” at managers, coaches or players, but racism “oversteps”.
“Nobody should have to deal with that, nobody in society. There is no place in society for it. I’m hoping they have a clear picture of what has gone on and they deal with it properly, because that is just out of order,” he said.
Later, in a joint statement, both Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday said they were “shocked and saddened by the racist gesture” and “roundly condemn any form of discrimination and abuse”.
They said they were working with “relevant authorities” and “expect action to be taken against any supporter identified”.
‘We are appalled’
Following the game in Italy, AC Milan said in a post on X that “there is absolutely no place in our game for racism”.
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan walks back onto the pitch after the match was stopped
“We are appalled. We are with you, Mike,” the club said, while the Serie A League said it “condemns all forms of racism”.
Fierce rivals Inter Milan also showed solidarity, posting on X: “We are brothers of the world, against all forms of discrimination. By your side @mmseize.”
Mbappe posted on X in support. Pic: X
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and England’s Ian Wright later supported Maignan with the former writing: “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.”
Former Arsenal forward Wright added: “Solidarity from the rest of the team. Keep walking off!! We did ‘playing through it’ and nothing has changed. Points deductions needed, the fines are pointless.”
During the match at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Maignan 28, was seen remonstrating with referee Fabio Maresca before taking off his gloves and walking off. As he walked down the tunnel leading off the pitch, he was followed by his teammates.
He had also told the referee about alleged monkey chants earlier in the match, prompting an announcement in the stadium asking fans to stop.