Serie A judge excuses AC Milan for racism incident

Kevin-Prince Boateng wars an anti-racism message on his jersey before a recent AC Milan match.

Antonio Calanni/AP

Italy's top soccer league has decided not to punish AC Milan for walking off the field after being subjected to racist chants during an exhibition game with fourth-division club Pro Patria.

While noting that no rule allows a squad to interrupt a match without the referee's or the public security officer's consent, Serie A judge Gianpaolo Tosel wrote that "the essential values of sport and civil coexistence'' rule out the possibility that "a gesture of solidarity toward someone insulted exclusively for the color of his skin'' can result in disciplinary action.

Pro Patria was already ordered to play one home match without fans for the Jan. 3 incident, and a preliminary judge barred six of the club's supporters accused of inciting racism from all sports events in Italy for five years.