08 January 2025 GMT: 04:28

UEFA slam Croatia with €25,000 fine over poor fan behaviour at Euro 2012

croatia v_ireland_euro_2012_flares_15-06-12

By Andrew Warshaw in Warsaw

June 15 – UEFA have fined the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) €25,000 (£20,000/$32,000) after fans let off a series of flares during their European Championship 3-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday (June 10).

The same thing happened yesterday at the same stadium in Poznań while Croatia were playing Italy.

I saw at least two flares being removed after enveloping one corner of the ground in smoke which will surely lead to further sanctions.

UEFA is also investigating reports that a banana was thrown on to the pitch during the Group C match against the Italians.

A photographer reportedly saw a steward retrieving a banana and heard monkey chants directed at Italy’s Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

Alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic games are already subject to investigations.

A Spanish fans’ group has said some of its country’s supporters abused Balotelli in their game with Italy, while Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he “noticed” racist chants directed at him.

Mario Balotelli_15-06-12
Balotelli (pictured above), who started the 1-1 draw against Croatia but was substituted late on, said before Euro 2012 that he would “not accept racism at all” and would walk off the pitch if racially abused by fans.

An Italy team spokesman said there had been no official protest because no-one in the Italian camp was aware of the reports.

Italy did complain to UEFA, however, about their anthem being booed by both Spain and Croatia fans before the first two matches in the tournament.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1736310395labto1736310395ofdlr1736310395owedi1736310395sni@w1736310395ahsra1736310395w.wer1736310395dna1736310395

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