Boat race storm! Milan walk off after Kev abuse
Posted Friday, January 04, 2013 by The Sun
WE MIL NOT STAND FOR THIS ... Kevin-Prince Boateng gestures towards the crowd
KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG led AC Milan off the pitch after being racially abused in a friendly.
The former Tottenham and Portsmouth star was taunted by fans of Pro Patria who play in Italy's fourth tier.
Boateng was targeted by the vile supporters just 26 minutes into yesterday's game.
And the Ghana international reacted angrily by picking up the ball and kicking it into the stands.
He then stormed off the pitch, applauding the other sections of the crowd who had not hurled abuse.
Pro Patria’s Dario Alberto Polverini attempted to talk to Boateng as he departed.
But the 25-year-old carried on walking and was joined by the rest of the players and officials.
The match was eventually abandoned and the Italian FA launched an immediate inquiry into events.
Boateng tweeted: “Shame that these things still happen... #StopRacismforever.”
Live text commentary on the official AC Milan website confirmed what our shocking footage shows.
It read: “AC Milan leaves the pitch after racist abuse by a minority of Pro Patria fans at Boateng, (Mbaye) Niang, (Urby) Emanuelson and (Sulley) Muntari.
"The rest of the fans in the stands disassociated themselves from such racist events.”
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said: “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.”
Piara Powar, executive director of European anti-discrimination group FARE, called for the Italian FA to take strong action.
He said: “We salute Kevin-Prince Boateng for his actions and his team-mates for their support.
“This is the not the first time a player has walked off in Italy — if the situation continues it may not be the last.
“Italy, as much as any country in Europe, has a serious problem of racism to deal with.
“Football infrastructure is in need of renewal and at serious odds with the changing nature of Italian society.
“We look forward to strong action by the FIGC (Italian FA).”
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