MILAN: Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has opened an investigation into alleged racist chanting after AC Milan midfielder Kevin Constant fired a ball into the stands and walked off the pitch in protest during a match on Tuesday.
The walkout by the French-born Guinean player, during a pre-season tournament match against Sassuolo in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, comes just months after a similar incident involving AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Boateng led the team off the pitch during a friendly in January in protest at racist chanting by the lower division side Pro Patria’s home fans.
“The federation’s prosecutor has opened an investigation to ascertain the extent of the racist episode which took place yesterday evening... which saw AC Milan player Kevin Constant subjected to chants from some supporters in the stands,” FIGC said in a statement on their website (www.figc.it).
Constant was replaced during Tuesday’s game that AC Milan went on to lose 2-1.
Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliano condemned the abusive fans, but said Constant should not have walked off the pitch. REUTERS
