FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls teams to take on automatic FORFEITS if their fans commit racist abuse, as racism rears its ugly head in incidents against AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Coventry's Kasey Palmer

Gianni Infantino calls for automatic forfeits when fans commit racist abuse AC Milan players walked off after Udinese supporters targeted Mike Maignan Coventry's Kasey Palmer was subjected to abuse at Sheffield Wednesday

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for harsher penalties, including automatic forfeits, against teams whose fans commit racist abuse, following two incidents on Saturday.

Coventry City’s Kasey Palmer was allegedly subject to a racist gesture during their Championship game against Sheffield Wednesday, while AC Milan’s players walked off in solidarity after Mike Maignan reported monkey noises from a section of Udinese supporters.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Infantino said he believed that there had to be sterner punishments for clubs whose fans are racially abusive.

The statement, published on behalf of FIFA, read: ‘The events that took place in Udine and Sheffield on Saturday are totally abhorrent and completely unacceptable. There is no place for racism or any form of discrimination – both in football and in society. The players affected by Saturday’s events have my undivided support.

‘We need ALL the relevant stakeholders to take action, starting with education in schools so that future generations understand that this is not part of football or society.

FIFA’s Gianni Infantino wants harsher penalties against teams whose fans commit racist abuse

Coventry City’s Kasey Palmer was allegedly subject to a racist gesture at Sheffield Wednesday

AC Milan’s clash with Udinese was suspended after Mike Maignan was allegedly targeted

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‘As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists.

‘FIFA and football shows full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination. Once and for all: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!’

Palmer reported to referee Anthony Backhouse that a supporter had made monkey gestures towards him, leading to a stoppage in play.

The 27-year-old appeared upset at the full-time whistle where he was comforted by team-mates and manager Mark Robins.

Palmer addressed the abuse in a post on social media following the match, writing: ‘Disappointed to even have to come on here and write this.

‘Racism is a disgrace…it has no place in the world, let alone football.

‘I’m black and proud and I am raising my three kids to be the exact same.

The 27-year-old was upset, and then comforted by team-mates and manager Mark Robins

The Coventry midfielder made an Instagram post after reporting racist abuse during the match

‘I’ll be honest, it feels like things will never change, no matter how hard we try.

‘Couple fans doing monkey chants don’t define a fan base – I appreciate all the love and support I’ve received.’

Sheffield Wednesday stated they were ‘shocked and saddened’ by the incident, which came during a game Coventry won 2-1.

In Italy, AC Milan goalkeeper Maignan and his team-mates walked off the pitch during the first half of their Serie A match at Udinese on Saturday evening.

The 28-year-old left the action shortly after his team had taken the lead, apparently indicating to referee Fabio Maresca he had heard racist abuse from the crowd at the Stadio Friuli.

The French goalkeeper is the first player to ask for the match to be suspended due to racist abuse.

On Sunday, AC Milan said they would not post on social media as a show of support for Maignan.

‘Following the unacceptable events during the match against Udinese, AC Milan has decided to not post any social media content today, 21 January 2024, in support of Mike Maignan and the fight against racism. #WeRespAct,’ the club said in a post on X.

Maignan called for more ‘harsh sanctions’ to be put in place after the match had finished

Maignan’s French teammate Kylian Mbappe was among those who supported the goalkeeper

After the match, Maignan said: ‘We can’t play football like this. At the first goal kick I heard monkey chants and I didn’t say anything.

‘Second goal kick, they did it again so I called the bench and fourth referee.

‘There needs to be very harsh sanctions. Just talking does nothing.’

Maignan’s French teammate Kylian Mbappe was among those who supported the goalkeeper following the incident, which came in a game the visitors won 3-2.

‘You are far from being alone,’ the Paris Saint-Germain star posted on X.

‘We are all with you. Enough is enough. No to racism.’