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Milan friendly abandoned after players protest against racist chants Milan friendly abandoned after players protest against racist chants
(35 minutes later)
A friendly match between Milan and fourth-tier Pro Patria has been abandoned after players walked off in protest at racist chanting from fans. A friendly match between Milan and fourth-tier Pro Patria was abandoned on Thursday after players walked off in protest at racist chanting from fans.
The game was called off after 26 minutes after a section of Pro Patria fans targeted Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng, who reacted to the abuse by picking the ball up and kicking it at the crowd in the stand behind him. The game was called off after 26 minutes after a section of Pro Patria supporters targeted Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng, who reacted to the abuse by picking up the ball and kicking it at the crowd in the stand behind him.
The Ghana midfielder then tore off his shirt and walked off the field at the opposite end. On his way, he applauded other sections of the crowd, who then appeared to react angrily towards the corner of the ground from which the chants came. The Ghanaian then tore off his shirt and walked off the field at the opposite end. On his way, he applauded other sections of the crowd, who then appeared to react angrily towards the corner of the ground from where the chants came.
Pro Patria's Dario Alberto Polverini attempted to talk to Boateng as he departed, but the midfielder carried on walking and the rest of the players, led by Milan's captain Massimo Ambrosini, followed him off the pitch. Pro Patria's Dario Alberto Polverini attempted to talk to Boateng as he departed, but the midfielder carried on walking and the rest of the players, led by Milan's captain, Massimo Ambrosini, followed him off the pitch. Urby Emanuelson, Sulley Muntari and M'Baye Niang were also reportedly targeted.
Urby Emanuelson, Sulley Muntari and M'Baye Niang were also reportedly targeted. The Milan coach, Massimiliano Allegri, told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm disappointed and saddened but I think it was the right decision not to return to the field out of respect for our players and all other black players.
The Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told La Gazetta dello Sport: "I'm disappointed and saddened but I think it was the right decision not to return to the field out of respect for our players and all other black players.
"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'm sorry for the families and children who had come here to enjoy a beautiful day. I hope this can be an important signal.""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'm sorry for the families and children who had come here to enjoy a beautiful day. I hope this can be an important signal."
Ambrosini told the paper: "We were annoyed from the beginning. We wanted to give a strong signal… we could not continue the game in an atmosphere like this." Ambrosini told the newspaper: "We were annoyed from the beginning. We wanted to give a strong signal … we could not continue the game in an atmosphere like this."