AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien wants racism to end in European football

AC Milan's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien says the football world must act sooner rather than later in order to stop racism in the game.

Verona have picked up a partial stadium closure for their next home match, after fans racially abused Sulley Muntari on Sunday.

For his Milan team-mate, who is a former player of Chelsea, measures must be taken by the authorities to ensure racism has no place in the game.

“Racism really makes me sad. The fact that in 2014 there are some stupid people that still behave like this really makes me sad,” Essien has told Milan Channel in an interview today.

“Generally speaking, those situations are awful for us but also for football.

“For instance, it was sad to see an empty ground during the game between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City last night.

“I think that this is the moment to act in order to change this situation. We need to stop these things that happen very often in stadiums once and for all.”