The Udine city council voted Monday against the city mayor’s proposal to give the title of honorary citizen to the French goalkeeper of AC Milan, Mike Maignan, target of racist insults during a championship match in the Udinese stadium.
The proposal formulated by Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni the day after the racist insults and monkey cries uttered towards Maignan did not obtain the vote, required by at least three-quarters of municipal councilors, with 25 in favor and 13 against, four fewer than necessary.
“We lost the opportunity to demonstrate that our city is united and distanced itself from what happened,” regretted the councilor (without label), according to comments reported by the Italian press.
Five spectators banned for life
On January 20, during his team’s match in Udine counting for the 21st day of the Italian Championship, Maignan was the target of racist insults and monkey cries uttered by supporters seated in the stands behind his goal.
After initially warning the referee, he then left the field in the 34th minute, imitated by his AC Milan teammates. The match referee immediately interrupted the match which resumed after a five-minute stoppage and which was won 3-2 by AC Milan.
This umpteenth racist incident in an Italian stadium triggered a wave of support from the world of football and, beyond, towards Maignan who had urged the authorities to take their responsibilities. Five spectators have since been banned for life from the Udinese stadium, while the Friuli club received a match behind closed doors, a sanction which they appealed.