“Disgusting and unacceptable”: support for goalkeeper Maignan after racism scandal

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‘You are anything but alone, Mike Maignan. We are all with you. Still the same problems and still no solution. Enough is enough!” writes PSG star Kylian Mbappé on social media. National team colleague Antoine Griezmann says: “We stand together, Mike! No to racism!”

The Italian Serie A match is temporarily suspended on Saturday evening after racist insults and booing against Maignan. After about half an hour, the 28-year-old goalkeeper first addresses the referee and is then hugged and kissed by his teammates. Maignan then goes off the field to the dressing room, but later comes back onto the field.

“Just have to respond”

“They imitated monkey sounds. Such a thing should not exist in the football world and you just have to react,” said Maignan after the 3-2 win, in which Swiss Noah Okafor scored the decisive goal in stoppage time. He didn’t hear it the first time, but then he had to he acted. It was not the first time in his career that he felt racism, adds the professional, who initially did not want to continue playing. Then he and the team decided that it had to continue: “I felt the support from everyone.”

As news agency Ansa reports, there is an announcement from the stadium announcer after the incident. The Udinese players go into the corner to talk to their supporters. The game continues after approximately six minutes. “There is absolutely no place for racism in our game: we are shocked,” AC Milan said. “We’re on your side, Mike.”

Infantino also provides commentary

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also spoke out, calling the incident in Udine and another in Sheffield “totally disgusting and completely unacceptable”. There was also a racism scandal in England on Saturday when Coventry City professional Kasey Palmer was insulted with a gesture during the second division match against Sheffield Wednesday. (SDA/jsl)

Source : Blick