Mike Maignan subject to racist abuse from Juventus supporters

We report with regret that AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was racially abused by Juventus supporters in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at the Allianz Stadium.

Maignan joined the Rossoneri from Lille in the summer as the club’s long-term replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma and has enjoyed a superb start to life in Milan.

A video surfaced online of an off-camera fan hurling several racial slurs towards the Frenchman as he warmed up for Sunday’s clash with Juventus. In another video, a couple more voices can be heard.

Juventus have acted swiftly in their attempts to find the despicable racists responsible for abusing Maignan, with the club opening an investigation on Tuesday morning after the video was brought to their attention by Milan.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is also considering opening its own investigation into the incident.

Maignan’s statement

The Milan goalkeeper broke his silence over Sunday’s incident by releasing a powerful statement to caption his latest Instagram post.

It reads: “On Sunday evening at Allianz Stadium, Juventus supporters targeted me with racial slurs and cries. What do you want me to say? That racism is wrong and that these supporters are stupid? It’s not about that. I am neither the first nor the last player to have this happen.”

Calcio has a dark and wretched history with racism, and this is the second incident this season of a player being racially abused by supporters – even with stadiums at limited capacity. Last weekend, Milan’s Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were subject to racial insults by the infamous Lazio ultras.

“As long as these events are treated as “isolated incidents” and no comprehensive action is taken, history is bound to repeat itself over and over and over again,” Maignan continued.

“What are we doing to combat racism in football stadiums? Do you really believe it’s effective? I am in a club that strives to lead the way by opposing all forms of discrimination. But we need to be more numerous and to be united in this battle for society that goes beyond football.

“In the proceedings, do the people who decide know what it feels like to hear insults and cries relegating us to the rank of animals? Do they know what it does for our families, for our loved ones who see it and who do not understand that it could still happen in 2021?

“I am not a “victim” of racism. I am Mike, standing, black and proud. As long as we can give our voice to change things, we will,” he proudly concluded.

Maignan raises several hard-hitting points in his statement. Is enough being done to combat racism in football and at stadia, in particular? Gestures such as taking the knee were poignant, to begin with, but are becoming increasingly frivolous in the battle for equality. More action has to be taken; harsher punishments would be a start.

Let’s hope the racists involved in this incident are identified and never found at the Allianz Stadium again. Enough is enough.