The Curva Sud, AC Milan’s fervent fan group, has issued a strong denouncement, targeting everyone from owner Gerry Cardinale and CEO Giorgio Furlani to the team’s players. The statement comes as the team prepares for their match against Atalanta at San Siro this evening.
Rumors of fan dissatisfaction had been circulating, particularly following a petition demanding Furlani’s dismissal that garnered thousands of signatures. The Curva Sud confirmed these sentiments today through a comprehensive statement from their fan groups, explicitly naming individuals they hold responsible for the team’s current disappointing season.
AC Milan Ultras Issue Damning Statement
“Exactly four years ago, we were celebrating one of the most remarkable Scudetto victories in Milan’s history, a triumph achieved through courage, grit, unity, desire, team spirit, and exceptional fan support,” the statement began, contrasting the past glory with the present situation.
“What remains of that spirit now, just four years later?” the ultras questioned. They lamented that a winning team, which needed only minor reinforcements to compete at a higher level, was “completely dismantled by a group of directors who are utterly incapable and incompetent, led by Giorgio Furlani, who stands amidst the ruins of HIS sporting failure.”
The statement further asserted that this situation is evident to everyone, except “those who have an interest in keeping him there – namely the owners, whose vision for Milan is purely financial and revenue-driven, shamefully disregarding the club’s history and the ambitions of its supporters.”
The ultras criticized Furlani’s focus on generating revenue through player sales, a strategy they’ve observed under both previous ownerships (Elliott Management) and the current one (Cardinale’s RedBird). They specifically pointed to coach Max Allegri and sporting director Igli Tare as “competent individuals subjected to constant interference” from Furlani, hindering their ability to build a strong squad.
“How can we accept a Milan side that doesn’t contend for the Scudetto and settles for fighting for second, third, or fourth place? How can you trample over the history of Italy’s most prestigious club?” the statement demanded.
A list of individuals were also blamed, including those responsible for the club’s commercial strategy and ticketing. The ultras accused them of prioritizing attracting tourists to San Siro over loyal fans in the Curva Sud, leading to inflated ticket prices.
The statement concluded with a call for Furlani to “pack his bags and leave Milan, as he is the primary figure responsible for Milan’s fourth consecutive year of sporting failure.”
Even the players were not spared criticism in the latter parts of the lengthy declaration. The ultras noted that captain Mike Maignan had called the squad back to the locker room after the defeat to Sassuolo, rather than engaging with the fans’ jeers.
“This does not negate the fact that it all begins with the owners, who project an aura of mediocrity and resignation, which is contrary to the need for motivation, fire, and enterprise,” the ultras concluded.