AC Milan vs. Udinese Match Halted Due to Racist Chanting Toward Mike Maignan | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
David Schmidt
Published Mar 23, 2026
Saturday's Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese was briefly brought to a stop after Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the target of racist chanting from supporters inside Stadio Friuli, according to ESPN.
In the 33rd minute, Maignan began to walk off the pitch:
Football on TNT Sports @footballontntMike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates walked off the pitch briefly following abuse directed at the goalkeeper from the stands.<br><br>We all are with you, Mike! ❤️ <a href="">
His teammates walked toward the touchline as well with the match becoming of secondary concern.
The club supported Maignan on X, formerly known as Twitter:
AC Milan @acmilanThere is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled.<br><br>We are with you, Mike.<a href="">#WeRespAct</a> <a href="">
The match eventually resumed, with Lazar Samardžić delivering an equalizer for Udinese in the 42nd minute. Florian Thauvin gave the home side a 2-1 lead before Luka Jović and Noah Okafor turned the tide for Milan deep into the second half.
Racism remains a problem in world football writ large and Italy isn't exempt.
Last April, Juventus received a partial stadium ban that was subsequently overturned after then-Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku received racial abuse. Italian police did, however identify 171 Juve supporters who warranted individual stadium bans for their roles in the racist chanting.
Serie A chief executive Luigi de Siervo said in May the league intended to take a "zero tolerance" policy toward the issue.
"Today with technology and stadium microphones they can be heard and we can punish them," he said. "It's a battle — like a tumor, you have to systematically remove it even if it has recurrences."
