FIFA chief calls for teams to ‘forfeit’ for racist fan chants

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Saturday that teams whose fans engaged in racist abuse should be forfeited following incidents in Italy's Serie A and the English Premier League.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan briefly left the pitch in protest during a 3-2 win at Udinese due to repeated racist chants from home fans. He alerted the referee before heading towards the team locker room, followed by his teammates, before returning after a few minutes.

Earlier on Saturday, Coventry midfielder Kasey Palmer said he was subjected to racist abuse during the closing stages of a 2-1 away win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Infantino said in a statement released by FIFA: “The events that took place in Udine and Sheffield Wednesday are completely abhorrent and completely unacceptable. There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination, nor in the football nor in society. The players affected by Saturday's events have my full support.

“In addition to the three-step process [match stopped, match stopped again and match abandoned]”We must impose an automatic defeat on the team whose supporters committed acts of racism and caused the match to be stopped, as well as stadium bans around the world and criminal prosecution of the racists,” he said. he added.

Maignan, who was also the victim of racist chants during a match at Cagliari two seasons ago, called for tougher sanctions against those responsible.

“They made monkey noises and it’s not the first time this has happened to me,” Maignan, 28, told DAZN. “They must impose very strong sanctions, because talking no longer serves any purpose.

“We have to say what they are doing is wrong. It's not the whole crowd, most of the fans want to cheer for their team and make fun of you, that's normal, but not this.”

Palmer wrote in an article on X that the racist treatment he received must be addressed.

“Disappointed to have to come here and write this. Racism is a shame… it has no place in the world, let alone football. I am black and proud and raising my three children to be they are exactly the same. …I'll be honest, I feel like things will never change no matter how hard we try,” he wrote.

“Couples of fans singing monkeys does not define a fan base – I appreciate all the love and support I have received.”