Life bans for those who racially abused Maignan – Udinese GM

Udinese will seek life bans for spectators found guilty of racist abuse against AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan during Saturday's Serie A match, chief executive Franco Collavino said on Monday.

French goalkeeper Maignan alerted the referee before leaving the field due to repeated racist chants from local supporters, according to Italian media. He was followed by his teammates to the tunnel before returning to the goal after a few minutes.

“The possible ban on the Daspo stadium imposed by the judicial authorities has a limited duration, but we will work to exclude these racists from the stadium for life,” Collavino told journalists, quoted by ANSA.

“There were no chants, the referee and the federal prosecutor's office confirmed this to us… even if there was only one, it would still be very serious,” he said. -he adds.

The Daspo ban, which can be issued by local police authorities, is a provision that prohibits a person from attending a sporting event in Italy if they have demonstrated violent or antisocial behavior.

Maignan on Sunday called “the entire system” to account in a message on X, formerly Twitter, including those who abused him, those who saw everything but did nothing, Udinese and the authorities.

Udinese said in a statement on Sunday that the club “deeply regrets and condemns any acts of racism and violence”, adding that it would “work with all investigating authorities to ensure immediate clarification of the incident “.

Maignan received support from his national team coach on Saturday, with Didier Deschamps issuing a statement on the incident in Udine.

“I give all my support to Mike Maignan,” said Deschamps. “What our goalkeeper experienced yesterday in Udine is totally unacceptable.

“I completely understand his decision to leave the pitch. Racist insults are unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

“Racism has no place anywhere and must be fought relentlessly.”