Maignan apologizes after red card in AC Milan's Europa League loss to Bournemouth

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has publicly apologized after his red card in the Europa League match against Bournemouth. The French international was sent off in the 27th minute for pushing Tyler Adams in the face, a moment that contributed to Milan's heavy 3-0 defeat. Maignan took to social media to explain his actions, saying his gesture was not intentional.

Maignan's explanation

In a message posted on Instagram, Maignan said he wanted to create space for himself in his own area. According to L'Équipe, he stated: "I wanted to make space in my zone." The goalkeeper also expressed regret, with ANSA and Tuttosport reporting that he apologized and insisted the act was not deliberate. RMC Sport quoted him as saying: "My gesture was not intentional."

Reactions and context

The red card came early in the match, leaving Milan with ten men and paving the way for Bournemouth's convincing win. Foot Mercato noted that Maignan's outburst has not gone down well at the club, with criticism mounting after the defeat. The incident has drawn attention across several media outlets, including So Foot and Record, all highlighting the goalkeeper's apology.

Next steps

Maignan's apology comes a day after the match, as he seeks to move past the incident. The club and player will now look ahead to their next fixtures, though no further details were provided in the reports.