Racial abuse reported against Balotelli at Euro 2012
June 16th, 2012 - 7:50 am ICT by IANSPoznan (Poland), June 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) As many as 500 Croatian fans shouted monkey chants at Italy striker Mario Balotelli and evidence has been passed to UEFA, according to the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) organisation.
A photographer reportedly saw a steward pick up a banana from near the field close to the Croatian section of the stand.
“FARE observers report between 300 and 500 supporters of Croatia involved in racially abusing Mario Balotelli at last night’s (Thursday’s) match in Poznan,” FARE, which places anti-racism observers at Euro 2012 matches, wrote on Twitter.
“UEFA received the observers’ reports this afternoon (Friday). We are working with them to provide as much information as possible.”
“We congratulate the Italian fans for their support of Balotelli last night. Many sang his name to drown out the monkey chants.”
UEFA has said it is investigating claims of racist abuse aimed at Balotelli by Spanish fans in Italy’s 1-1 draw with Spain Sunday, and by Russian fans at Czech player Theodor Gebre Selassie last week.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
pm
- Russia, Spain hit with UEFA charges of racism - Jun 26, 2012
- UEFA fines Russia and Spain over racism - Jun 29, 2012
- Euro 2012: UEFA fines Croatia for racism - Jun 20, 2012
- Euro 2012: UEFA to probe Russian fans behaviour - Jun 10, 2012
- Euro 2012 racism claims nonsense: Russian minister - Jun 10, 2012
- UEFA investigates Russian Euro 2012 fans (Lead) - Jun 10, 2012
- Russian interior ministry confirms fans' arrests - Jun 10, 2012
- Euro 2012: Mandzukic strike help Croatia draw 1-1 with Italy (Lead) - Jun 15, 2012
- Moscow tightens security for Polish embassy - Jun 16, 2012
- Euro 2012: Croatia beat Ireland 3-1 - Jun 11, 2012
- Rowdy Russian fans head for Warsaw - Jun 15, 2012
- Euro 2012: Cassano and Balotelli send Italy to quarters - Jun 19, 2012
- Euro 2012: Mandzukic strike help Croatia draw 1-1 with Italy - Jun 15, 2012
- Czech defender Selassie joins Werder - Jun 22, 2012
- Euro 2012: Italy have fitness problems, says coach Prandelli - Jun 15, 2012
Tags: banana, chants, croatian, euro 2012, football against racism in europe, italian fans, mario, monkey, observers, poznan poland, racial abuse, racism in europe, racist abuse, ria novosti, russian fans, selassie, spanish fans, steward, striker, uefa