Guinean midfielder Kevin Constant walked off the pitch during AC Milan’s pre-season tournament match against fellow Serie A side Sassuolo on Tuesday in response to alleged racial abuse by opposition fans.
The 26-year-old midfielder kicked the ball into the crowd and left the pitch in the 34th minute.
The referee ordered an announcement warning that the game would be suspended if further incident occurred.
The game then continued with Milan sending on a substitute for Constant. The Italian Football Federation has launched an investigation into the incident.
In May, FIFA ushered in strict new anti-racism and discrimination rules that could see teams docked points or relegated for repeated racist incidents by fans.
Constant’s actions emulates Ghana international, Kevin-Prince Boateng, who sparked a walk-off that involved the whole Milan team, in January.
After been racially abused by the opposing crowd in Milan’s match against Italian lower league division club Pro Patria, Boateng picked up the ball midway through the first-half and kicked it into the crowd before removing his shirt.
