By Andrew Warshaw
June 19 – The Croatian Football Federation has been fined €80,000 (£64,500/$101,500) after Italy striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused by a section of its fans at the 2012 European Championships.
The punishment also relates to the setting off and throwing of firecrackers in the Group C match in Poznan last Thursday (June 14) that ended 1-1.
A photographer reportedly saw a steward retrieving a banana and heard monkey chants directed at Manchester City forward Balotelli (pictured top, in blue).
Croatia has the usual three days to appeal.
The Croats had already been fined €25,000 (£20,200/$31,700) after supporters threw similar flares onto the pitch in their earlier 3-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.
“The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has been fined €80,000 (£64,500/$101,500) for the setting off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters [racist chants, racist symbols] at the UEFA Euro 2012 Group C match against Italy in Poznan on Thursday, 14 June,” a UEFA statement said.
FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), which has observers posted at every game at the tournament, said last week that it had heard between 300 and 500 Croatia fans chanting monkey noises, which prompted UEFA to investigate.
The Croatian FA reacted by condemning those responsible.
“The Croatian Football Federation distances itself from all deviant behaviour of the part of the fans during the final tournament of UEFA Euro 2012 and strongly condemns it,” it said.
“The HNS, its national team players and members of the technical staff support all UEFA activities aimed at identifying individuals whose behaviour damages the reputation of the competition, no matter which country they come from.”
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic (pictured above), whose side were arguably the unluckiest so far to exit at the group stage, also expressed his anger.
“On behalf of the entire nation, not even as a football manager, I want to say that I am really disappointed as a Croatian, a parent, and a sportsman; a person who comes from a modern, open-minded and tolerant state,” said the passionate and popular Bilic.
“Everyone is welcome in our county.
“I don’t like these kinds of supporters and nor do my players.
“I don’t want them to come into the stadium.
“I live in Croatia and we really are a tolerant county.
“We are not a racist country and we are angry at these few crazy supporters.
“We have to put sanctions on these kind of supporters and stop them forever.”
Balotelli, who started the 1-1 draw against Croatia before being substituted, said ahead of Euro 2012 that he would walk off the pitch if racially abused.
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