Football: “I didn’t want to play anymore,” explains Maignan after racist chants from opposing supporters

The goalkeeper of AC Milan and the French team Mike Maignan, victim of racist insults on Saturday evening during an Italian championship match on the Udinese field, no longer wanted to play after leaving the field, before changing his mind “so as not to abandon (his) teammates”.

“I didn't want to play anymore, I told everyone when I left the field, but we are a family, I couldn't abandon my teammates,” he declared on the microphone of the platform DAZN. “I was angry, not disappointed, because it’s not the first time I’ve experienced this. My teammates, the staff, everyone told me to stay strong in my head and give the right answer on the pitch,” he continued.

Maignan, 28, detailed on Sky Sport the course of the incidents which led him to leave the field during the first period, before being imitated by his teammates, leading to the match being interrupted for five minutes. “What happened was when I got the ball for my first dismissal of the match, I heard monkeys screaming, I didn't say anything. It happened again then, I told our coaches and then the 4th referee,” he continued.

“I said we couldn’t play in these conditions,” regretted Maignan. “We then made the decision to return to the field and give the best response by winning this match,” he continued. AC Milan, which had been trailing 2-1 since the 62nd minute, finally won 3-2 thanks to goals from Jovic (83) and Okafor (90 3). The Lombard club has consolidated its 3rd place and is only four points behind Juventus (2nd) who travel to Lecce on Sunday. “It’s a great victory, important for the rest of our championship,” concluded the Blues goalkeeper.