Was the referee Maresca to make the decision to suspend the match for a few minutes after racist chants against Maignan which pushed him to temporarily abandon the field. “I acted like a big brotherI felt sincere regret for Maignan who was clearly affected on an emotional level: how uncomfortable I felt for those rude boos…” – it was the race director’s comment in an interview with Ansa -. Notwithstanding that the rules are clearthe line of The Hague and of the designator Rocchi does not allow for misunderstandings and I limited myself to following it, as is my duty”.
What happened in detail
The referee then provided more details on what happened: “The player was emotionally prostrate, evidently, I put a hand on his shoulder but he independently went to the fourth official to represent the situation – he said -. The fourth man informed me and so I tried to reassure Maignan, also on a human level, in case he had a strong reaction: Whatever happens, I told him, come to me, I’ll make the announcement now. This is what happened, as is standard, then the announcement was repeated over the loudspeakers and finally there was the expected suspension of the race. The referee can then ask the teams to leave the pitch, which however did not happen yesterday. In the most serious cases, the match could be interrupted, hearing the person responsible for public order, but it wasn’t even necessary to get to that.” “In those moments – concluded Maresca -, I felt serious discomfort for the player but also for the situation. Those who love this sport – players, referees, fans – feel pain to see a match interrupted for such a vulgar event, for the behavior of some. Why These are only a few and we should not generalise“.
in-depth analysis
Infantino: “Knocked out for racist insults”
The latest updates and Maignan’s outburst
Police investigations are already underway since last night to verify the responsibilities of the racist chants aimed at the Milan goalkeeper, during the match against Udinese at the Bluenergy Stadium. As soon as the documents are sent to the judiciary, a case will be opened. Maignan, in the meantime, vented his anger on social media: “It wasn’t the player who was attacked, but the man and the father of the family – a summary of his post (here is the entirety of it) -. Today an entire system must assume its responsibilities: the authors of these acts, the spectators in the stands, the Udinese club, the authorities and the Prosecutor’s Office if they do nothing. It is a difficult battle, but we will win it.”