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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Udinese fans abused Milan goalkeeper</li><li>Game was subsequently paused</li><li>Maignan's call for strong sanctions ignored</li></ul>

Another missed opportunity! Udinese ordered to play one game behind doors after racist abuse of Mike Maignan as Italian football authorities ignore AC Milan goalkeeper's call for 'very strong sanctions'

Serie A

AC Milan

Juventus

Empoli

Udinese

Maignan was abused during Milan's clash with Udinese and, as a result, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ac-milan-udinese-paused-mike-maignan-reports-racist-chanting-referee-walks-off-pitch/bltf2b25461449835cd" target="_blank">the game was paused</a>, after the goalkeeper chose to walk off the pitch. While the match resumed 10 minutes later - Milan won 3-2 - Maignan called after the game for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-force-teams-forfeit-games-fans-racially-abuse-players/blt345e7518e63a9b26#cs432441affef7429e" target="_blank">"very strong sanctions"</a> to be meted out by Serie A, but those demands have been ignored, with just one game to be played behind closed doors.

WHAT HAPPENED?

At the time, Maignan said: "I said we cannot play football like this. It is not the first time it has happened this way. They must hand out very strong sanctions, because talking no longer does anything."We have to say that what they are doing is wrong. It is not the whole crowd - most fans want to cheer on their team and jeer you. That's normal, but not this."At the first goal-kick I heard monkey noises, I said nothing. The second time I went to get the ball, I heard it again. I told the fourth official and my bench what happened. This isn't the first time it has happened. I did not want to play, but we are a family and I could not leave my team-mates like that."

WHAT MAIGNAN SAID

Serie A has a serious problem with racism and this punishment shows there is no real deterrent for such behaviour. Previously, Romelu Lukaku has been sent off - via a second yellow card - for standing up to Juventus fans who were allegedly abusing him, while Leonardo Bonucci claimed Moise Kean was provoking Cagliari fans who were being abusive. The main deterrent could be to force teams to forfeit games if their fans are found guilty of racism, as has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-statement-automatic-forfeit-teams-fans-commit-racist-abuse-mike-maignan-udinese/blt3ce245849e19f624#csf59cd3b9bce63285" target="_blank">suggested by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.</a>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Maignan will next be in action for Milan against Bologna on Saturday. It remains to be seen if Serie A will ever find a way to stamp out the racism problem that has been endemic in the league for years.

WHAT NEXT?

Another missed opportunity! Udinese ordered to play one game behind doors after racist abuse of Mike Maignan as Italian football authorities ignore AC Milan goalkeeper's call for 'very strong sanctions' | Goal.com

Udinese have been ordered to play one game behind closed doors after racist abuse was directed at AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Another missed opportunity! Udinese ordered to play one game behind doors after racist abuse of Mike Maignan as Italian football authorities ignore AC Milan goalkeeper&apos;s call for &apos;very strong sanctions&apos;