Udinese ban four more fans for life following racial abuse of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan

Four Udinese supporters who racially abused goalkeeper Mike Maignan during a Serie A clash with AC Milan have been banned for life.

Play was briefly halted during the game on January 20 as the French international walked off the pitch, followed by his team-mates.

The 28-year-old said he heard "monkey noises" from a section of the home fans, while also calling for "very strong sanctions" to be handed down.

The offenders are now no longer able to attend the Bluenergy Stadium, while they have also been banned from all Italian stadia for five years.

"Udinese Calcio can confirm that it has identified four further individuals relating to the incident of discrimination towards AC Milan player Mike Maignan," the club said in a statement.

"These individuals will also be banned from the Bluenergy Stadium for life.

"As has been the case from the very beginning, the club has continued its work alongside the police, reaffirming its absolute determination to punish the culprits as evidence of its concrete commitment against any form of discrimination."

The five-year ban is the maximum penalty the authorities can issue to first-time offenders for racist abuse at a football match.

However, clubs are able enforce longer sentences for their own stadia.

Udinese have already banned another fan for life for the incident, while Italian police have identified further suspects after analysis of video footage from inside the ground.

The club will also have to play one match behind closed doors., a sanction imposed by Serie A sports judge, Gerardo Mastrandrea.

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