Juventus ban the fan who hurled racist slurs at Mike Maignan

Justice is rightly served this time, with the individual guilty of hurling racist comments at Mike Maignan in Juventus’ 1-1 draw against AC Milan given a lifetime ban on entering Allianz Stadium and the local Juve fan club in the wrongdoer’s area for his culpable actions.

Following the conclusion of the game between Juventus and AC Milan, it was reported that Maignan had received racist comments from a certain part of the Allianz Stadium in Turin. A video went viral where it appeared that the AC Milan goalkeeper, when doing his warmups ahead of the game, had been targeted with racist slurs.

Whether it was done with the intention to distract the player’s mindset or just for fun, racism, in any form or mean, is an intolerable offence. And the governing football bodies, as well as the football clubs, are very strict with the consequences these days. As such, Juventus were quick to launch a probe into the matter.

Signed from Lille OSC in the summer as a replacement for the departing Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mike Maignan took a bold step by taking the issue to his Instagram account, where he proudly put up his narrative. He typed:

"“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.”"

Juventus served justice to Mike Maignan…

According to a report from Sky Sports, the offender was a member of the Juventus fan club based in Castagnaro, which had already banned the person in question. Juventus have also handed him a lifetime ban from entering the Allianz Stadium.

As far as punishment regarding racial abuse is concerned, this should be a benchmark for every club out there. How pitiful it would be to get the ban on entering the stadium you love visiting — the repercussions of hurling racist slurs at any player should be in the mind of every football fan from the next time. And Juventus have got it right this time.

As for Maignan, he has settled in Seire A nicely, having played every minute for the Rossoneri in Serie A 2021/22 so far. His performances on the field have been eye-catching too, with the Frenchman obtaining the highest save percentage (88.2%) in the league, per the stats from FBref.com. At the end of the day, he is “Mike, standing, black and proud”.