During a tense Serie A clash between AC Milan and Udinese at San Siro, Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the target of relentless verbal abuse from a section of Udinese ultras. According to Calciomercato.com, the ultras repeatedly insulted the French international, referring to him as a “sh** man” throughout the second half, as Maignan played directly in front of their section.
Racism Incident from Nine Months Ago Resurfaces
This recent hostility comes in the shadow of a more severe incident that took place nine months ago. On January 20, 2024, Maignan walked off the field after being subjected to racist abuse from the same group of Udinese ultras. The Serie A match was halted for five minutes as tensions escalated. Udinese took disciplinary action after the incident, banning four fans for life in response to the racist remarks aimed at Maignan. Despite those measures, it seems the toxic atmosphere has not yet been fully addressed.
Provocative Banner Raises Concerns for Next Encounter
In addition to the verbal insults, Udinese ultras unfurled a banner that read: “Only a greeting today, at Udine an appropriate tribute.” This thinly veiled threat referenced Milan’s upcoming trip to Udinese’s home ground, the Bluenergy Stadium, on April 13, 2025. The banner has fueled fears that tensions could escalate even further when the two sides meet again, especially given the previous history between Maignan and the Udinese fans.
Milan’s Hard-Fought Victory
Despite the hostile environment, AC Milan came away with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a well-taken goal by Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze. The goal, assisted by Christian Pulisic, proved to be the decisive moment in the match. Milan’s win keeps them in strong contention in the Serie A standings. Meanwhile, Udinese, with 13 points from eight games, continue to hold a mid-table position as they seek to maintain momentum in the league.
Continued Concerns Over Fan Behavior
The ongoing hostility from Udinese ultras raises questions about fan behavior and the measures in place to prevent further incidents of abuse. While the lifetime bans for the four fans involved in the January incident were a significant step, this latest episode suggests that tensions remain high. As Milan and Udinese prepare to face each other again next year, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds, particularly in light of the escalating tension both on and off the pitch.
