Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng led a player walk-off to protest against racist chanting during a friendly match between AC Milan and Pro Patria.
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After the public announcer's appeals to halt the incessant abuse failed, AC Milan midfielder Boateng stripped his shirt off and then walked off 25 minutes into the match.
The 25-year-old was followed off the pitch by his team-mates, opposition players and match officials. The friendly at the home of Italian lower division club Pro Patria would be abandoned.
Boateng's compatriot, Sulley Muntari, and other black players M'Baye Niang and Urby Emanuelson were also reported to have been targeted for abuse.
The racist chanting has been roundly criticised, while the players have been applauded for sending out "an important signal".
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said: "We are disappointed and saddened by what has happened.
"Milan play for the right to respect all players. We need to stop these uncivilised gestures.
"We are sorry for all the other fans who came here for a beautiful day of sport. We promise to return, and we are sorry for the club and players of Pro Patria, but we could not make any other decision.
"I hope it can be an important signal."
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete was scathing of the offending crowd for blighting the image of the Italian game.
He said in a statement on the FIGC website: "We must react with force and without silence to isolate the few criminals that transformed a friendly match into an uproar that offends all of Italian football."
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