Note: There is material in this article that may offend some readers. After hearing what goalie Mike Maignan claimed to be racist chants from Udinese fans, the AC Milan players left the field; Additionally, Kasey Palmer of Coventry allegedly experienced racist taunts at Hillsborough

The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has demanded that following the “totally abhorrent” events at Udinese and Sheffield Wednesday, teams whose supporters engage in racial abuse automatically forfeit their games.

Following reports that France international goalkeeper Mike Maignan heard monkey noises emanating from a portion of the Stadio Friuli crowd, AC Milan’s players left the field.

Kasey Palmer of Coventry claimed to have experienced similar mistreatment at Hillsborough, where their 2-1 victory was halted for a few minutes while the referees conferred with the managers of both teams.

After goalie Maignan reports racial abuse, AC Milan leaves the field.
Sheff Wed and Coventry denounce the alleged racial taunts directed at Palmer.

After a while, Milan’s players came back to win 3-2 in extra time, but Infantino insisted that the penalties ought to be more severe.

“As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned, as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists,” he wrote in a post to X.

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FIFA Media

@fifamedia

On behalf of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, has made the following statement: “The events that took place in Udine and Sheffield on Saturday are totally abhorrent and completely unacceptable. There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination – both in football and in society. The players affected by Saturday’s events have my undivided support. “We need ALL the relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools so that future generations understand that this is not part of football or society. “As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists. “FIFA and football shows full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination. Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!”

“Victims of racism and other forms of prejudice receive the unwavering support of both FIFA and football. Forever and ever: No racism! I oppose prejudice in every form!

“The things that happened on Saturday in Udine and Sheffield are utterly disgusting and reprehensible. I wholeheartedly support the players impacted by what happened on Saturday.

“We need ALL the relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools so that future generations understand that this is not part of football or society.”

Because racial taunts have been a part of sport for far too long, Maignan remarked that something needed to happen.

“It’s unfortunate that this has been happening for so long in the world of football,” he said to Milan TV after acknowledging that he had heard supporters making monkey noises.

“Something needs to be done to improve things, especially with all the cameras around and the penalties for these actions.

“We all have to react, we must do something because you can’t play like this.”

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#KP45

@kaseypalmer45

“I’m black and proud and I am raising my three kids to be the exact same. I’ll be honest, it feels like things will never change, no matter how hard we try.

“Couple fans doing monkey chants don’t define a fan base – I appreciate all the love and support I’ve received.”

Coventry owner Doug King and manager Mark Robins condemned the abuse and offered their full support to Palmer, while Sheffield Wednesday said they were “shocked and saddened” by the alleged incident and anyone found culpable will face “the strictest possible sanctions from both Sheffield Wednesday and the law”.

South Yorkshire Police is investigating the incident.