Kevin Prince Boateng led a team abandonment of an AC Milan match earlier today following racist abuse from opposition fans. The match was stopped in the 26th minute as both teams left the field in response to racist abuse toward the Milan player.
Milan were playing Pro Patria, an Italian fourth division side, in a mid winter break friendly. In the 26th minute Boateng had the ball along the touchline, with the home fans in the stand running alongside the pitch. Boateng stopped play, picked the ball up and then volleyed it into the crowd in response to what he perceived to be racist abuse. He then removed his jersey and left the field. He was soon joined by the rest of the Milan side and the Pro Patria team.
Reports say several Pro Patria players tried to stop the fans abusing Boateng and the majority of Pro Patria supporters applauded the teams walking off the field in protest while condemning the abusers.
The Pro Patria chairman said of the racist fans, "I have never seen them before. They were here to make a statement."
In Italy rule changes in recent years mean the referee has the power to abandon a game if there is racist abuse from spectators.
Watch full video of incident below:
(h/t 101 great goals)