African Soccer Star Walks Off The Pitch, Stops Match Over Racism
n a move never seen before in world soccer, Ghanaian international
Kevin-Prince Boateng of AC Milan of Italy last night dramatically ended a
match when he led his team off the pitch in protest against racist
chanting by a section of the home fans.
Boateng became the first player to cause a game to be abandoned because of racist abuse after his team-mates followed him off the pitch in protest at his treatment by opposition fans. He launched his revolution during a friendly match away to fourth division side Pro Patria.
In the past, there had been cases of players storming off the pitch due
to racism but somehow, they were either persuaded to return or were
substituted. For example, Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o walked off
the pitch while playing for Barcelona against Real Zaragoza in 2006,
but was persuaded to return by teammates and the match continued.
Similarly, Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos left the pitch after a banana was hurled at him while playing for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala against Krylya Sovetov Samara in June 2011, but he was substituted and the match continued.
But yesterday's case was different. Boateng, with the full support of his AC Milan colleagues, forced the end of the match against Pro Patria after only 25 minutes of play.
'The former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder was so incensed by the chants emanating from one corner of the ground that he picked the ball up and booted it towards the offending supporters in the stands before ripping off his shirt and storming off the pitch,' reports Britain's Daily Telegraph.
'There was a brief period of confusion as players from both sides tried to talk to Boateng, but Milan's Italian captain Massimo Ambrosini instructed his men. to join Boateng.
Boateng became the first player to cause a game to be abandoned because of racist abuse after his team-mates followed him off the pitch in protest at his treatment by opposition fans. He launched his revolution during a friendly match away to fourth division side Pro Patria.
In the past, there had been cases of players storming off the pitch due
to racism but somehow, they were either persuaded to return or were
substituted. For example, Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o walked off
the pitch while playing for Barcelona against Real Zaragoza in 2006,
but was persuaded to return by teammates and the match continued.Similarly, Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos left the pitch after a banana was hurled at him while playing for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala against Krylya Sovetov Samara in June 2011, but he was substituted and the match continued.
But yesterday's case was different. Boateng, with the full support of his AC Milan colleagues, forced the end of the match against Pro Patria after only 25 minutes of play.
'The former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder was so incensed by the chants emanating from one corner of the ground that he picked the ball up and booted it towards the offending supporters in the stands before ripping off his shirt and storming off the pitch,' reports Britain's Daily Telegraph.
'There was a brief period of confusion as players from both sides tried to talk to Boateng, but Milan's Italian captain Massimo Ambrosini instructed his men. to join Boateng.
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