AC Milan players left the field due to alleged racist chants by Udinese fans towards goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Play was suspended for around 10 minutes at Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium following the alleged incident during the first half.
“There is no place for racism in our game – we are appalled. We are with you, Mike,” AC Milan said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, after the incident.
City rivals Inter Milan shared their support, replying to the post: “We are brothers of the world, against all forms of discrimination. By your side.”
Serie A added that it “condemns all racist bureaucracy. “
Maignan, 28, who was born in French Guiana but grew up in Paris and plays for France’s national team, noticed the appearance of referee Fabio Maresca before taking off his gloves and walking away.
As he walked down the tunnel leading off the pitch, he was followed by his teammates.
He had informed the referee of alleged monkey chants before the match, prompting an announcement at the stadium asking fans to stop.
“They were making monkey noises and it’s not the first time this has happened to me,” Maignan told DAZN after the game.
The incident took place about 30 minutes into the game, shortly after former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave Milan the lead with an early low shot inside the post.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and England’s Ian Wright showed their support for Maignan, writing: “You are far from alone, Mike Maignan. We are all with you. Always the same disorders and still NO solution. That’s enough!!!!!!!!!!! NO RACISM. “
Former Arsenal striker Wright added: “Solidarity from the rest of the team. Keep going! ‘We played until the end’ and nothing changed. Point deductions are necessary, fines are unnecessary. “
A few minutes after the restart, Udinese equalised Lazar Samardzic, before former Newcastle player Florian Thauvin scored to give the home side the lead.
However, Milan striker Luka Jovic scored to score the match point, before Noah Okafor scored in stoppage time to secure the visitors’ 3-2 victory.
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The incident comes after Belgian foreigner Romelu Lukaku was expelled after being subjected to racist abuse while playing for Inter Milan in April last year.
The Belgian striker showed a second yellow card for his birthday party, putting his finger to his lips in silence.
Lukaku’s then agents claimed the striker was racially abused by Juventus fans, before, during, and after the penalty and called on the club to apologise.
Police said 171 fans were barred from entering the stadium following the incident, while Juventus was hit by a partial closure of the stadium at a match in Italy’s top league, Serie A.