More Racism in Sport

[theticklemister]

AC Milan friendly called off after racist chanting
A friendly between AC Milan and Italian lower division club Pro Patria was suspended after players walked off because of racist chants.

Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng picked up the ball 25 minutes into the first half and kicked it into the crowd.

Ghana international Boateng then removed his shirt and was followed from Pro Patria's home pitch by both sets of players and officials.

There had been appeals for the abuse to stop from the public address announcer.

On his way from the pitch, Boateng applauded sections of the crowd, who then reacted angrily towards the corner of the ground from which the chants came.

It was quickly established that play would not restart and AC Milan's official website said other black players in the Milan side - M'Baye Niang, Urby Emanuelson and Sulley Muntari - suffered abuse.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters: "We are disappointed and saddened by what has happened.

"Milan play for the right to respect all players. We need to stop these uncivilised gestures.

"We are sorry for all the other fans who came here for a beautiful day of sport. We promise to return, and we are sorry for the club and players of Pro Patria, but we could not make any other decision.

"I hope it can be an important signal."

Milan's organising director Umberto Gandini added: "It is so sad but we had to give a strong signal. Very proud of all Milan players for their decision. No other comments."

[Gabriel_Hurl]

The mayor of the town is blaming Boateng 

"It was above all the fault of a bunch of idiots, maybe even of a bunch of professionals who didn't know how to do their jobs properly – by which I mean the referee and some players," declared Mayor Gigi Farioli.

"If these professionals had been able to do their jobs, then it wouldn't have ruined a festival of football that at that point could no longer continue.

"Boateng kicked the ball at 200km/h at a fan and we all know that a reaction foul from a professional player is punished more severely than any other foul. In any other stadium in Italy, he would've been sent off.

"But if this had been at the Bernabeu or at San Siro, Boateng would not have had such an improper reaction."

Farioli was elected with support from the Lega Nord (an anti-immigration party that wants to separate the north of Italy from the poorer south) and the Popolo della Liberta (Milan President Berlusconi's centre-right party)

[theticklemister]

Was his name Il Duce!!!