Kevin Prince-Boateng did something that a lot of people have been wanting the players to do while suffering racial abuse, which is walk off the field in protest, with his AC Milan teammates following suit in a friendly match against Italian fourth-tier side Pro Patria.
The friendly game was rightfully called off, when Boateng, who was in possession, suddenly stopped and kicked the ball towards a section of supporters, before walking off.
The AC Milan forward tore off his shirt in anguish, but had the class to applaud the supporters in the other ends of the ground, where there were no problems.
The supporters, realizing what the issue was, immediately turned their ire towards the section that was hurling racist abuse at not just Boateng, but the other black players at Milan - Mbaye Niang, Urby Emmanuelson and Sully Muntari.
Taking Boateng's cue the rest of the Milan players also quickly walked off the pitch in protest.
"Shame that these things still happen... #StopRacismforever," Boateng wrote on Twitter after the match.
AC Milan manager Massimilaino Allegri also condemned the behavior. "We are disappointed and saddened by what has happened," AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri said.
"Milan play for the right to respect all players. We need to stop these uncivilised gestures.
"We are sorry for all the other fans who came here for a beautiful day of sport. We promise to return, and we are sorry for the club and players of Pro Patria, but we could not make any other decision.
"I hope it can be an important signal."
Italian Football Association president Giancarlo Abete strongly supported Boateng's actions while ordering an immediate inquiry into the events.
"No sanction or measure can erase the disdain for an unspeakable and intolerable episode.
"We must react with force and without silence to isolate the few criminals that transformed a friendly match into an uproar that offends all of Italian football."
