Mike Maignan has taken to social media to have his say after being sent off during Milan’s 3-0 loss against Bournemouth in the Europa League on Thursday evening, explaining that he did not intend to shove Tyler Adams in the face, but did not apologise for his actions: ‘I wanted to make space for myself in my area’.
Maignan: ‘My action was not intentional’
Maignan was shown a red card less than half an hour into Milan’s eventual 3-0 defeat away against Bournemouth in the Europa League last night.
Just after a Bournemouth corner had been taken, referee Vasilios Fotias blew up and marched straight over to Maignan to brandish the red card after the Milan goalkeeper and captain pushed Adams away from him, making full contact with the American’s face.
Deliberate strikes to the head or face are classed as violent conduct in the IFAB laws of the game.
To make matters worse for Milan, it was a case of double jeopardy, as Maignan’s red card also led to a penalty kick, which was converted by Marcus Tavernier. This sent Bournemouth 2-0 up with well over an hour left to play against a 10-man Milan side.
Maignan has since taken to Instagram to share his thoughts on the matter. He explained that he did not intend to shove Adams by the face, but did not apologise for his actions, as he felt he was only trying to do what practically every goalkeeper does at practically every set-piece.
“My action was not intentional. Like every goalkeeper in every match, I wanted to make space for myself in my area,” Maignan explained on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, this gave off a bad image, especially in front of the young supporters who watch us.
“The club, the staff and my teammates know what sort of person I am. They know my intentions and abandoning them is never part of the plan.
“As for the rest, we are accustomed to the interpretations given by certain people and certain media outlets.”
