France national team offer support to Mike Maignan following racial abuse

Mike Maignan’s (28) national team teammates, as well as the FFF, have offered their support to the France No.1 after he was subjected to racist abuse during AC Milan’s Serie A fixture against Udinese on Saturday night.

The game between AC Milan and Udinese was suspended for several minutes after Maignan was subjected to monkey chants at the Bluenergy Stadium. The France goalkeeper alerted the referee to the chanting in the 36th minute. After being consoled by teammates for several minutes, the game was ultimately resumed, with AC Milan going on to win 3-2.

The abuse drew a reaction from the French Football Fédération (FFF). “You have all our support. The FFF condemns in the strongest possible terms any act of racism,” stated the federation on X.

Maignan also received the support of Les Bleus teammates, notably captain Kylian Mbappé, who following Paris Saint-Germain’s Coupe de France victory over US Orléans, took to X. “You are far from being the only one. We are all with you. Always the same problems and still no solution. Enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!! No to racism,” said the PSG forward.

Vice-captain Antoine Griezmann also supported Maignan on X. “We are together Mike! No to racism!!!!,” he said, whilst Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni added, “All together in this fight. #Untiltheend.”

Maignan himself also responded to the racist chants post-match, stating that those who racially abused him should not be banned from attending future matches, adding that action must be taken by the relevant authorities.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle