AC Milan temporarily halt their Serie A match against Bologna as a gesture of solidarity towards their goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, following the occurrence of racist insults during their previous game against Udinese.

AC Milan’s French goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, took center stage as the Italian Serie A clash between AC Milan and Bologna was momentarily paused in the 16th minute. This pause was a powerful display of support for Maignan, who had been subjected to racist abuse in the previous weekend’s match.

Last Saturday, during Milan’s 3-2 victory over Udinese, the game was interrupted as the players walked off the pitch in response to the abuse directed at Maignan, who proudly wears the No. 16 shirt. The incident sparked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to call for games to be forfeited by teams whose supporters engage in racist behavior.

During the pause in play, a quote from Martin Luther King was displayed on the San Siro’s big screen, reminding everyone that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” This powerful message aimed to combat hate and racism in football.

Giorgio Furlani, AC Milan’s chief executive, expressed the club’s unwavering commitment to fighting discrimination, stating, “Today’s initiative is a tangible testament to our unwavering commitment in the battle against hate and racism. As a club, we hold zero tolerance for discrimination.” Furlani also expressed gratitude to the Italian Football Federation, Lega Serie A, and Bologna FC for their support in making this impactful statement possible.

On the pitch, Joshua Zirkee opened the scoring for Bologna, while Riccardo Orsolini struck in added time to secure a point for his team. This result further dented Milan’s title challenge, as Stefano Pioli’s men remain in third place in Serie A, trailing leaders Juventus by seven points.

In the face of adversity, AC Milan and their supporters have shown unity and determination to combat racism in football. This powerful display of support for Mike Maignan serves as a reminder that discrimination has no place in the beautiful game.