A friendly between Italian giant AC Milan and fourth division club Pro Patria was suspended early on Thursday due to racist chants towards Milan’s black players.
Just 25 minutes into the match, Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng punted a ball towards host Pro Patria’s supporters, some of whom had been verbally abusing him and his teammates from the opening whistle. Boateng proceeded to remove his jersey and walk off the field. In a gesture of support, his Milan teammates and the entire Pro Patria squad walked off the field together, abruptly ending the match.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters afterwards that he hoped that the events on the field would be “an important signal” for change in regards to racism in the sport.
Boateng, Urby Emanuelson, Sulley Muntari and M’Baye Niang were among those targeted in the chants. AC Milan was playing in a final tuneup match before its match against Siena on Sunday.
Here are some more mid-day stories from the world of soccer:
SHAWCROSS SIGNS RECORD DEAL WITH STOKE CITY
After rumors that Manchester City would make a move for their star center back heated up over the weekend, Stoke City and its fans can breathe easy today as the club re-signed Ryan Shawcross to a five-and-a-half year deal.
The 25-year-old English central defender will now make £45,000 a week. The contract, estimated to be worth £13.5M, is the biggest in Stoke City history.
The club captain indicated in November that he wanted to remain at Britannia Stadium long-term, but lengthy contract talks prompted other EPL clubs to look into Shawcross’s availability. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool reportedly joined Manchester City in sending offers for Shawcross.
Shawcross joined Stoke City in 2008 for just £1M after a successful loan spell from Manchester United.
JAGIELKA EXTENDS CONTRACT WITH EVERTON
Another English-born defender tied his future to his current club on Thursday, as Phil Jagielka signed a contract extension that would keep him at Everton until 2017.
The extension comes on the heels of fellow defender Seamus Coleman’s re-signing last week.
The 30-year-old central defender, who has become a fixture on Roy Hodgson’s English national squads, has played in every league match for Everton this season.
Jagielka joined Everton from Sheffield United in 2007 and will most likely end his career with the Toffees.
GALINDO NAMED NEW CHIVAS COACH
After spending the last few seasons in charge of Liga MX clubs Cruz Azul, Atlas and Santos Laguna, Benjamín Galindo is returning to Chivas de Guadalajara as the club’s new manager.
Galindo was named to the position only a few hours after the club fired John Van’t Schip, whose job security was in jeopardy after fellow Dutchman Johann Cruyff’s departure from the club.
Galindo, the fourth-leading goalscorer in Chivas history, managed the club from 2004-2005. He is leaving Santos Laguna, where he won the 2012 Clausara and finished in second at the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.
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Think Boateng and Milan did the right thing by walking off? What kind of effect do you see the re-signings Shawcross and Jagielka having on their respective clubs? See Galindo enjoying some success in his return to Guadalajara?
Share your thoughts below.