Milan Condemn 'Unacceptable' Racist Abuse of Mike Maignan After Bournemouth Red Card
AC Milan have issued a formal statement condemning the racist abuse aimed at goalkeeper Mike Maignan on social media, after the France international was targeted online in the hours following his sending-off in Thursday's 3-0 Europa League defeat away at Bournemouth.
According to MilanPress, the club released its official response on Friday afternoon. "Following yesterday's match against Bournemouth, Mike Maignan was the target of serious and unacceptable racist insults on social media," the statement read. "AC Milan firmly condemns every form of racism and discrimination, which have no place on or off the pitch. The club expresses its full solidarity and support to Mike."
Red card sparked a chastening night
Maignan was sent off in the 27th minute for pushing Tyler Adams in the face as Bournemouth prepared to take a corner. Marcus Tavernier converted the resulting penalty, and the hosts went on to win comfortably against ten men.
The France international had explained on social media earlier on Friday that the gesture was not intentional. The dismissal also carries a European suspension, with the goalkeeper facing at least one match out in the Europa League — though, as reported on 23 October 2026, he remained available for Serie A fixtures, including the trip to Udinese and the derby against Inter, while UEFA could yet hand down a longer ban.
Not the first time
It is not the first time Maignan has suffered racist abuse. In January 2024 he led his teammates off the pitch at Udine after being targeted from the stands, briefly halting the game — an incident that underscored the persistent problem of discrimination in Italian football.
Club calls for unity
The club also appealed to supporters frustrated by Thursday's result to channel that frustration properly. "We must remain united, as Milanisti and as Italian football," the statement continued. "We all want to win, but we must do it the right way, with dignity, mutual respect and class."
The 3-0 loss at Bournemouth, played more than an hour with ten men, was described across Italy's front pages as Milan's "madness" and drew criticism from the club's coaching staff. Against that backdrop, Milan's message on Friday was as much about conduct as it was about the result.