French football star Kylian Mbappé publicly expressed solidarity with Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan after the goalkeeper faced racist abuse from Udinese fans during a Serie A match. Mbappé addressed Maignan directly on social media, saying, “You’re not alone, Mick. We are all with you. The same problems persist, but there must be a solution. No to racism.”
The incident unfolded when Maignan reported the racist remarks to the match referee. He left the pitch and moved toward the stands, with his teammates attempting to calm him as officials managed the scene. The referee paused the game for five minutes before play resumed with Maignan returning to his position between the posts.
The final result favored Milan with a 3-2 scoreline. Among Milan’s goalscorers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Jović, and Noah Okafor found the net. For Udinese, Lazar Samardžić and Florian Thauvin were the scorers. The clash added a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against discrimination in football, prompting reactions from players across leagues who called for unity and accountability.
In the Serie A table, Milan sits in third place with 45 points. Inter Milan leads with 51 points, followed by Juventus on 49. Udinese occupy a lower position in the standings. The match city and the broader northern corridor of Italy continued to reflect the competitive balance of the season as clubs chase European ambitions and domestic glory.
Maignan later explained why he left the field during the match, emphasizing the personal impact of racist abuse and the importance of safeguarding players’ welfare on and off the pitch. This incident reinforces the ongoing conversations among clubs, leagues, and fans about safeguarding, education, and stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination measures across Italian football and beyond.