Vinicius Junior has shown solidarity with Mike Maignan (Picture: Getty)
Vinicius Junior has shown solidarity with Mike Maignan after the AC Milan goalkeeper was racially abused at the weekend, with the Brazilian suggesting those found guilty should face imprisonment.
Maignan and his Milan teammates stormed down the tunnel in the first half of their Serie A game against Udinese after the France international was subjected to monkey chants from the home fans.
The game was subsequently paused for around five minutes, with Milan later returning to complete a late 3-2 comeback victory.
In the fallout of the incident, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested that teams whose fans are found guilty of racist chanting should automatically forfeit the game in a further effort to clamp down on abuse.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid forward Vinicius, who has been a victim of racial abuse several times in La Liga, shared his support for the Milan goalkeeper.
‘”Just talking won’t change anything.” These are Maignan’s words,’ the Brazilian said on X, formerly Twitter.
‘It is time to imprison racists so that they are ashamed of who they are. I thank those who really support our struggle and I regret those who only appear with empty words to gain the sympathy of the press. Always with you, Maignan.’
Maignan has since also penned a post on social media, with the 28-year-old calling for other fans, clubs and authorities to not remain complicit in the issue.
‘It was not the player who was attacked. It’s the man. He’s the father of the family. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. And I’m not the first this has happened to,’ he added on X.
‘We issued press releases, advertising campaigns, protocols and nothing has changed.
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‘I have already told you and if it bears repeating: I am not a VICTIM. And I want to say thank you to my club AC Milan, to my teammates, to the referee, to the Udinese players and to everyone who sent me messages, who called me, who supported privately and publicly.
‘I can’t answer everyone but I see you and we are TOGETHER. It is a difficult fight, which will take time and courage. But it’s a fight we will win.’
MORE : AC Milan’s Mike Maignan speaks out after walking off pitch following racist abuse in Udinese clash
MORE : Barcelona boss Xavi fires dig at Real Madrid over comeback win vs Almeria
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He’s shown his support.
