Croatia fined for racist chanting PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 19 June 2012 21:50
CROATIA have been fined 80 000 euros (£64 561) after their fans were found guilty of racially abusing Mario Balotelli during their European Championship Group B game against Italy at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan on Monday. The punishment, which was also dished out for the setting off and throwing of fireworks, was the first for a racially-aggravated offence at a tournament.
According to official observers, Italy striker Balotelli was subjected to monkey chants by between 300 and 500 Croatia fans during the 1-1 draw and there were also accusations of a banana being thrown onto the pitch.
UEFA said in a statement: "The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has been fined 80 000 euros 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, June.14"
The statement continued: "An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision."
The fine was one of the biggest UEFA had ever handed out for a racism-related incident.
However, they have already been criticised for taking even more draconian action against Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner during Euro 2012 after he revealed a sponsored pair of underwear, something that earned him a one-match ban and a 100 000-euro fine.
A second offence for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks at Euro 2012 was also likely to have accounted for a sizeable chunk of Croatia's fine.
The HNS had already been docked 25 000 euro (£20 169) for such incidents, and the invasion of the pitch by a supporter, during Sunday's win over Republic of Ireland.
They were also fined £14 920 by FIFA just under four years ago after then England striker Emile Heskey was subjected to monkey chants in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb and they were given a small fine during Euro 2008 for racist abuse from their fans during their game against Turkey.
 

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