AC Milan announces internal anti-racism task force

Milan’s palyers jubilate after scoring the goal 0-1 during the Italian Serie A soccer match Hellas Verona vs AC Milan at Bentegodi stadium in Verona, Italy Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (Simone Venezia/ANSA via AP)

MILAN — AC Milan has announced it will establish an internal task force to address racism in Italian football.

The club says the task force will be supported by “an external consultancy” and “develop a program of activities to increase awareness, monitor and address racist behavior on social media and in the stadium, and drive the adoption of global best practices on diversity and inclusion.”

The move comes after reports of racist chants directed at Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who is black, during a match at Hellas Verona last weekend.

Milan says the anti-racism initiative will be launched during Saturday’s derby against Inter Milan.

Inter striker Romelu Lukaku was subjected to racist chants in a match at Cagliari this month.

Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis, who is South African, says: “Italian football needs to wake up and take a strong stance against racist behaviors. AC Milan will take a leadership position on this issue. . We believe that we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to address this issue.”