- Serie A
Boateng: I'd walk off in Champs League too
AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng says he would walk off during any match in which he was subjected to racist abuse, no matter what the stakes were.
The former Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder refused to play on during a friendly against fourth-tier opposition Pro Patria on Thursday after complaining three times to the referee that he and his team-mates had suffered racist insults.
And the 25-year-old insists that even in the Champions League he would do the same again, stressing that everyone in the football world would be behind such a decision.
Club president Silvio Berlusconi has said he will always back his players reacting in a similar way in the future and Boateng also received support from further afield, although not everyone praised his actions.
"I don't care what game it is - a friendly, Serie A or Champions League match, I'd walk off the pitch again and I think everyone would support me," Boateng told CNN.
"I saw massive support from England and massive players like Rio Ferdinand and Patrick Vieira, and I want to say thank you. I'm sad and angry that I'm the one that has to take action.''
Boateng then outlined the discussions on the pitch between himself and the referee which led to his departure.
"I said to him if it happens again I'm not going to play anymore. The referee said 'don't worry' but I said 'I do worry, it's not very nice.' I was angry and I was sad, but it all came together and I said I didn't want to play anymore. There were so many negative emotions that came up in me.
"I'm surprised we're still hearing these things in 2013. It's not the first time in my life I've had to hear or see things like this but I'm 25 and don't want to take this bull***t anymore.''
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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