A Match Colored By Racial Harassment, AC Milan Win 3-2 Over Udinese

Photo Antara

JAKARTA - AC Milan came from one goal down to win 3-2 over Udinese on the local Saturday or Sunday morning WIB, in a match that was stopped due to goalkeeper Mike Maignan being racially abused by a number of fans of the hosts.

Stefano Pioli's men are six points behind leaders Inter Milan to occupy third place, after Noah Okafor scored the winner in the 93rd minute, as quoted by AFP.

But the match was colored by screams imitating the sound of a monkey aimed at Maignan from a group of Udinese fans. The incident made Maignan furious.

The match was stopped by referee Fabio Maresca at the end of the first half after repeated racial abuse against Maignan, who then protested by leaving the field with his teammates.

"There is no place in our game for racism: we are disappointed. We are with you, Mike," Milan wrote on its social media.

The hosts had previously been warned several times to stop abuse after Maignan filed a complaint with Maresca. But they continued so officials had to stop the match.

The game continued five minutes later. At that time Milan was leading thanks to the completion of Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 30th minute.

The home fans continued to boo Maignan every time he received the ball. It then made the match stop again temporarily

Three minutes before halftime, Lazar Samardzic equalized for the hosts through his movement from the middle of the pitch and his finish.

Florian Thuavin put the hosts ahead in the 62nd minute after beating Tijjani Reijnders and Theo Hernandez, and firing a shot past the top of Maignan's head.

But Milan managed to get up, and Luka Jovic equalized for the visitors with his goal in the 83rd minute, taking advantage of Olivier Giroud's deflected shot towards the line.

Noah Okafor became Milan's winning goal scorer thanks to his goal in the 93rd minute. The goal also extended his team's unbeaten run in the league to six consecutive matches.