Atalanta fans throw bananas in Bergamo

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf praised his players for not reacting to the provocation

Nigel de Jong and Kevin Constant of AC Milan with bananas thrown by fans during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia . Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf praised his players for continuing with their Serie A match after bananas were thrown onto the pitch during their 2-1 defeat at Atalanta today.

“I can only compliment my players who continued to play and got on with their jobs. Hopefully, they will find the culprit and do what has to be done,” the Dutchman told reporters.

The bananas landed near Milan's Guinean defender Kevin Constant who picked it up, showed it to the referee and handed it to team mate Nigel de Jong, who threw it off the field.

Milan players sarcastically applauded the section of the Atalanta fans where the banana was thrown from.

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"The incident doesn't deserve any comments, it ruined a great afternoon," said Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono.

Italy’s disciplinary tribunal, which meets on the day following every round of matches, will announce any sanctions tomorrow.

Last season, AC Milan walked off the pitch during a friendly match away to a lower league side in protest at racist chanting by the home fans.

Villarreal were fined €12,000 euros by the Spanish football federation on Wednesday after a fan threw a banana at Barcelona's Dani Alves during last month's La Liga match at El Madrigal. The supporter was banned for life by the club.