Milan ultras stage choreographed ‘Go Home’ protest against club’s RedBird owners

Ahead of their Serie A clash with Monza, AC Milan fans made their dissatisfaction with the club’s current leadership abundantly clear through a powerful and coordinated protest. The unrest among supporters has been simmering for months, and it reached a dramatic climax on Saturday, with thousands taking to the streets to voice their disapproval of the club’s direction under RedBird Capital and its principal figure, Gerry Cardinale.

The demonstrations began outside Casa Milan, the club’s headquarters. Approximately 5,000 ultras—members of Milan’s most passionate and organized fan groups—gathered to stage a vocal and symbolic protest. Carrying banners and chanting in unison, they later marched together to the historic San Siro stadium, making their presence and message impossible to ignore. The atmosphere was one of both anger and nostalgia, as chants rang out not only in protest of the current ownership but also in tribute to Milan legends Paolo Maldini and Silvio Berlusconi.

Paolo Maldini, a towering figure in Milan’s storied history, served as the club’s technical director from 2018 to 2023. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history, Maldini made a record 902 appearances for the club during his playing career. His dismissal by the new ownership following the 2022–23 season, mere months after RedBird Capital’s takeover, was seen by many fans as a betrayal of Milan’s identity and traditions. His removal sparked widespread backlash, which has only intensified over time.

Supporters also invoked the memory of Silvio Berlusconi, Milan’s former owner and Italy’s longest-serving prime minister. Under Berlusconi’s leadership, AC Milan experienced its most successful era, winning numerous domestic and international titles. For many fans, the Berlusconi-Maldini era symbolizes a golden age now being dismantled under the current regime.

The emotional depth of the protest was on full display inside the stadium as well. In the Curva Sud, the iconic section where Milan’s most dedicated fans congregate, ultras unfurled a message that simply read: “Go Home,” directed squarely at RedBird Capital and Gerry Cardinale. Their message was underscored by chants demanding Cardinale sell his shares in the club and walk away from his ownership role.

The demonstration took another turn during the game itself. In a coordinated move, the ultras staged a mass walk-out in the 15th minute of the match. Their early exit from the stadium was not only a powerful visual but also a symbolic statement: they are the lifeblood of the club’s matchday atmosphere, and without them, something essential is lost. The silence that followed their departure was a haunting contrast to the normally vibrant energy they bring, serving as a stark reminder of how deeply the supporters are embedded in the fabric of the club.

Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani addressed the unrest in an interview with DAZN prior to the match. “There is anger and frustration among the fans—feelings we share,” he acknowledged. “Today, a season ends. The next one will start right away tomorrow.” Furlani did not shy away from admitting that the 2023–24 campaign fell far short of expectations. When pressed about the causes of the club’s disappointing season, he said, “There can’t be just one reason if we’re so far below expectation. Tomorrow we start over. There are several things we need to sort out because next season can’t be like this one.”

However, Furlani stopped short of confirming any concrete changes. He declined to comment on speculation linking Igli Tare, formerly of Lazio, with the role of sporting director. He also insisted that no sacrifices would be demanded from the current playing squad—an assertion that some fans may view with skepticism given the calls for structural reform and a more ambitious vision.

The discontent comes amidst a period of underwhelming results on the pitch. Milan won the Serie A title in 2022, just before RedBird’s acquisition of the club, breaking an 11-year Scudetto drought. Since then, however, their performance has declined. Their only piece of silverware in the subsequent three seasons has been the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana—a relatively minor triumph considering the expectations that followed their 2022 title win.

Their struggles have not been limited to Serie A. Earlier in the month, Milan lost the Coppa Italia final to Bologna. Entering the Monza fixture, they were sitting 10th in the league table—well outside the positions required to qualify for European competitions. For a club with Milan’s history and ambition, such a standing is widely viewed as unacceptable.

Adding to the speculation about the club’s future was a report earlier this month from The Athletic, stating that Premier League champions Manchester City had made contact with Milan regarding a potential move for Dutch international midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. While no deal has been confirmed, the interest from such a dominant club only adds to the sense of uncertainty surrounding Milan’s squad and long-term strategy.

It is clear that the divide between the club’s passionate supporters and its current leadership has grown into a chasm. The protests were not merely about one disappointing season or a single controversial decision—they represent a broader fear that the club is losing its identity, its connection to its history, and its ambition for the future. For fans, the removal of figures like Maldini and the perceived indifference of RedBird Capital suggest a leadership that does not understand or respect the club’s legacy.

Milan is no ordinary football club. Its past is filled with triumphs that made it one of the most respected institutions in world football. The fans know this, and they have made it clear that they expect more—not just in terms of results, but in how the club is run, who it represents, and how it honors the legacy of its greatest figures.

Whether or not the ownership heeds these warnings remains to be seen. But Saturday’s protest has made one thing crystal clear: Milan’s supporters are not going to be silent, and they will not allow their club to drift further from the values and successes that once made it great. As the new season approaches, the pressure on RedBird Capital and Gerry Cardinale will only intensify. The fans have spoken—and they are demanding a future worthy of AC Milan’s glorious past.