Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

I may leave Italy, says Boateng

 

Press Association
Saturday 05 January 2013 12:26 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is considering his future in Italian football in the wake of a racial attack which prompted him to walk off the pitch during a friendly this week.

Boateng, a Ghana international, was followed off the pitch by his team-mates at fourth-tier side Pro Patria after several players were racially abused.

The 25-year-old has been publicly back by Milan, with president Silvio Berlusconi insisting his players would always walk off the pitch if they are subjected to further racist abuse.

Boateng has, however, revealed he could be forced to turn his back on the Serie A club after telling Germany's Bild newspaper he is now considering whether to leave Italy during the current transfer window.

"It's not something which you can just shake off," he said.

"I will sleep on it for the next three nights and then sit down with my agent Roger Wittmann next week.

"We will have to see if it's really worth carrying on playing in Italy."

The Italian FA responded to the incident by announcing they would conduct an investigation while Boateng, who is contracted at San Siro until 2014, has received widespread support from around the football world.

The midfielder said he was "proud" that his team-mates had joined him in boycotting the the match. Boateng revealed also that the chants started before the game commenced, but after 26 minutes, he had had enough.

"I could hear the first monkey calls after five minutes when I was on the ball," he said.

"At first, I didn't think anything of it, but then it happened over and over again. I went to the referee and told him that if I hear it again, then I'd quit.

"He tried to calm me down. When it started again in the 26th minute with the monkey calls, then I thought 'that's it, I'm not carrying on'."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in