Soccer fans throw bananas, dagger-like object at black AC Milan players (VIDEO)

To emphasize how far racism and hate in European soccer has gone, fans in Italy not only threw bananas at black players on the pitch this weekend, they also tossed a dagger-like object that almost hit one of the midfielders.

Atalanta's 2-1 win over AC Milan was overshadowed by the disturbing actions of some its fans, who targeted Rossoneri stars Kevin Constant and Nigel de Jong with the objects — an all-too-familiar occurrence in soccer games that caused worldwide outrage two weeks ago when a similar scene involving Barcelona star Dani Alves played out in Spain.

Photos taken at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo show the foot-long, knife-like object  sticking in the grass just a few feet from Constant as he angrily waves the banana in the air. De Jong, meanwhile, picked up another banana and mocked the racist fans by applauding the cowardly action along with AC Milan teammate Philippe Mexes.

Play eventually continued, but not before fans were warned on the stadium loudspeaker that any similar incidents would lead to officials suspending the game.