AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan became the latest victim of racism in football after a Juventus fan allegedly hurled racist insults at him during the warm-up for Juventus' 1-1 draw with AC Milan in Serie A on Sunday. The abuser has been identified as a member of a Juventus fan club based in Castagnaro.

Stating that footballing authorities must take a 'united' front to combat racism in the game, Maignan mentioned in his statement, On Sunday evening at Allianz Stadium, Juventus supporters targeted me with racial slurs and cries. What do you want me to say? That racism is wrong and that these supporters are stupid? It's not about that. I am neither the first nor the last player to have this happen. As long as these events are treated as 'isolated incidents' and no comprehensive action is taken, history is bound to repeat itself over and over and over again. What are we doing to combat racism in football stadiums? Do you really believe it's effective?

Claiming that he did not see himself as a 'victim' because he was proud of who he was, the goalkeeper added, I am in a club that strives to lead the way by opposing all forms of discrimination. But we need to be more numerous and to be united in this battle for society which goes beyond football. In the proceedings, do the people who decide know what it feels like to hear insults and cries relegating us to the rank of animals? Do they know what it does for our families, for our loved ones who see it and who do not understand that it could still happen in 2021? I am not a victim of racism. I am Mike, standing, black and proud. As long as we can give our voice to change things, we will.

The Castagnaro fan club later announced the man's expulsion in a statement. It read, We cannot accept that attitudes of this kind are combined with the name of our club, which do not represent us in any way, on the contrary they offend our history and the name of Gaetano Scirea, whom we have chosen precisely for the values ​​it represents. We therefore communicate that the person in question is expelled from the club with immediate effect.