Milan slam alleged racist abuse of Under-10 kids

MILAN: AC Milan have hit out after several black players in the Serie A side’s Under-10 squad allegedly suffered racist abuse at the hands of parents attending an international junior football tournament over the Easter weekend.

The incidents are believed to have taken place during the side’s 4-0 win over Paris St Germain in the Universal Cup, currently taking place in Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany, on Sunday.

Players’ agent Mino Raiola, who represents Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic among other top stars, sounded the alarm when he posted a message about the scenes on Twitter late on Sunday.

“In shock about today’s Milan/PSG in Universal Cup, parents booing colour 10 year olds. Heads up boys we’re stronger than weak ignorant racists,” said Raiola.

Milan on Monday did not confirm whether the incidents took place, but said if confirmed they were “unacceptable”.

“We have been told of alleged incidents of a racist nature during yesterday’s game between Milan and PSG in which coloured kids were targeted by ’people’ attending the game,” read the statement.

“We do not want to amplify or exaggerate anything, but we sincerely hope the allegations are unfounded or that it has been an isolated case.

“However, if they are true, it is absolutely unacceptable.”

AC Milan’s team went on to win the tournament, beating Inter Milan 4-0 in the final.

It is the latest in a long line of incidents of a racist nature to sully Italian football.

In January 2013, former Milan forward Kevin Prince-Boateng reopened the debate into how to tackle racism in football when he and several other black players were targeted by racists during a friendly with a lower division side.

Boateng walked off the pitch, his team-mates followed and the game, against Pro Patria, was abandoned.