AC Milan players walk off pitch after alleged racist abuse at goalkeeper during Serie A game

France goalkeeper Mike Maignan walked off the pitch after alleged racist abuse from supporters towards him during the Serie game

Mike Maignan, Yacine Adli and Matteo Gabbia celebrate after the match in which Maignan walked off the pitch after alleged racist abuse from supporters (REUTERS)

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and his team-mates walked off the pitch during the first half of their 3-2 Serie A win at Udinese on Saturday evening.

The 28-year-old France international left the action shortly after his team had taken the lead, apparently indicating to referee Fabio Maresca that he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli.

Maignan was followed by the other Milan players – shortly after Ruben Loftus-Cheek had given them a 31st-minute lead – but they returned to the pitch and play resumed about 10 minutes later.

After the match, AC Milan posted on X: “There is absolutely no place in our game for racism: we are appalled. We are with you, Mike.”

Former England striker Ian Wright wrote on X: “Solidarity from the rest of the team. Keep walking off!! We did ‘playing through it’ and nothing has changed. Points deductions needed, the fines are pointless.”

Following the resuming of play, Udinese hit back through Lazar Samardzic before the interval and substitute Florian Thauvin gave them a second-half lead. Luka Jovic then headed a late equaliser for Milan and substitute Noah Okafor won the game with a goal in stoppage time.