Lifetime ban for Udinese fan who racially abused AC Milan keeper

MILAN－After identifying the fan who racially abused AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, Serie A club Udinese has handed down a lifetime ban. It vowed to do the same for the other "evil people" amid calls for tougher sanctions from authorities, following another weekend when Italian soccer games were overshadowed by behavior in the stands.

Maignan walked off the field during Saturday's Serie A match at Udinese after being subjected to what he later said were monkey noises. The 28-year-old goalkeeper was joined by his teammates and the match was suspended for about five minutes before they returned, and Milan went on to win 3-2.

"In a joint effort with local police, and utilizing the Bluenergy Stadium security cameras, Udinese Calcio has identified the first individual responsible for discriminatory behavior towards AC Milan player Mike Maignan," Udinese said in a statement on Monday.