Sanctions needed to combat racism, says AC Milan keeper

Strong sanctions must be implemented to combat racism, AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan said after he briefly left the pitch in protest during the Serie A match at Udinese on Saturday.

Maignan alerted the referee before leaving the pitch due to repeated racist chants from the local fans, as reported by Italian media. He was followed by his team mates to the tunnel before returning to the goal after a few minutes.

"I said we cannot play football like this. It is not the first time it has happened this way," Maignan told Sky Sports Italy.

"They must hand out very strong sanctions, because talking no longer does anything.

"We have to say that what they are doing is wrong. It is not the whole crowd, most fans want to cheer on their team and jeer you, that’s normal, but not this."

Describing the events that prompted him to walk off the pitch, Maignan added: "What happened in the first half is that at the first goal kick I heard monkey noises, I said nothing.

"The second time I went to get the ball, I heard it again. I told the fourth official and my bench what happened.

"I was angry, because this isn’t the first time it has happened. I did not want to play, but we are a family and I could not leave my team mates like that."

A stoppage-time goal by striker Noah Okafor secured Milan a 3-2 win.