Euro 2012: Uefa investigates racism allegations

Uefa is to investigate alleged racist chanting during the Euro 2012 matches between Spain and Italy and Russia v Czech Republic.

A Spanish fans’ group has said some of its supporters abused Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli.

Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he “noticed” racist chants directed at him. Uefa said that no disciplinary proceedings had been started at this stage.

The Uefa statement added: “Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, Uefa is now conducting further investigations.”No official complaints have been made to Uefa by Italy or Czech Republic.

The admission by a Spanish fans’ group that some of their supporters racially abused Balotelli during Sunday’s game was sent to Uefa by an anti-racism network. Piara Powar, the chief executive of the Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) network, told BBC Sport that the statement, along with testimony from photographers at the game given to the Daily Mirror, has been handed to Uefa.

Thomas Herzog, spokesman for the Football Supporters Europe Fans’ Embassy team for Spanish supporters, said in a statement that around “200 supporters started monkey chants when the Italian player Mario Balotelli touched the ball”.

He added: “We’re glad to report that the majority of Spanish supporters reacted in a very positive way, because many of them tried to intervene very quickly and stop the fans in question from singing.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=45141