Mike Maignan, Udine mayor proposes honorary citizenship
Mayor of Udine: "Honorary Citizenship for Mike Maignan"
The events of Saturday night during Udinese-Milan continue to cause debate and even the mayor of the capital of Friuli, Alberto Felice De Toni, wanted to take a stand, personally inviting Mike Maignan to Udine and explaining, moreover, that he has the intention of proposing to the city council honorary citizenship for the French goalkeeper.
"Ours è a city è of all,” said De Toni, “Udine is not racist and has a long history of welcoming. That is why I personally invited Maignan to Udine to realize together concrete initiatives dedicated to the youngest, with the support of Milan Foundation. I will propose to the city council to award him on that occasion also honorary citizenship".
"Udine is not è a racist city, I was deeply hurt by what è happened yesterday and that is precisely why I want to express the solidarityà of Udine, Friulians and Udinese fans who do not feel represented by what è happened yesterday. Our values cannot be humiliated by a few people blinded by racism" explained the mayor of Udine.
"Therefore, whatè happened last night must’ be a turning point for the fight against any kind of discrimination,” he added.
Udine has a long history of welcome, solidarityà, mutual respect, which cannotò be questioned by a single crazy gesture. I want Maignan to return to Udine to bring with his personal experience a very strong message to the new generations: the future of our communitiesà passes through inclusion, respect, sharing and consequently through fruitful social relations. In Udine, 14% of residents è are of foreign origin. Our border territory has always been a è crossroads of peoples and cultures. There’è no room for any discrimination. That is why I will propose at the next city council meeting that on that occasion Maignan should become an honorary citizen of the cityà".
"The world of soccer, animated by fans and rivalries,è è in the front line of the fight against racism. We stand by every sports movement to affirm that there are no differences, neither on the field nor off it. The Friulian public has è always distinguished itself for fairness and this is also why the stadium has hosted a conspicuous number of international matches. The Udinese Calcio society itself has always shown itself to be multicultural and inclusive. Friuli è a symbol of solidarity è and care for others. All together we will prove it once again" concluded the mayor of Udine.
