Football: “I didn’t want to play anymore,” explains Mike Maignan after being the victim of racist insults in Udine

Mike Maignan. MAXPPP – GABRIELE MENIS

The goalkeeper of AC Milan and the French team Mike Maignan, victim of racist insults Saturday evening during an Italian championship match on the pitch of the Italian team #39;Udinese, no longer wanted to play after leaving the field, before changing their 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 DAZN platform.

"I was angry, not disappointed, because this isn't 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.

Mike Maignan is racially abused by Udinese fans and his AC Milan team walk off the pitch with him. pic.twitter.com/DLOMiVn3my

— Best Goalkeeper Saves (@BestSavesGK) January 21, 2024

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 an interruption of the game. match for five minutes.

"What happened was that when I got the ball for my first throw of the match, I heard monkeys screaming, I said nothing. It happened again afterwards, I told our coaches then the 4th referee, he continued.

"I said that'we couldn't play in these conditions", regretted Maignan.

Tu es très loin d’être seul Mike Maignan.
On est tous avec toi.
Toujours les mêmes problèmes et toujours AUCUNE solution.
Trop c’est trop !!!!!!!!!!!!

NON AU RACISME. ⛔️✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/uqlCLMr00x

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) January 20, 2024

"We then made the decision to return to the field and give the best answer by winning this match", he continued.

AC Milan, which had been trailing 2 to 1 since the 62nd minute, finally won 3 to 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.

Also read: VIDEO. Victim of racist cries, the goalkeeper of the France team and Inter Milan Mike Maignan leaves the field in the middle of a match

"It's a great victory, important for the rest of our championship", concluded the Blues goalkeeper.