A photographer has claimed Italian striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused during Italy’s 1-1 Euro 2012 Group C match with Croatia in Poznan. The photographer, who works forAgence-France Press, was situated in the corner where the majority of Croatian fans were sitting during Thursday’s match and said he heard monkey noises being directed at the Italy striker. At onepoint, he also saw a steward picking up a banana that had been thrown onto the field.
UEFA has not commented on the alleged incidents and said only it is awaiting the match report fromEnglish referee Howard Webb.
A spokesman for the Italian soccer federation said neither Balotelli nor any other player had mentioned either being abused or the throwing ofa banana. The official, however, said the federation was unhappy about booing during the national anthem.
UEFA has said it was investigating claims Balotelli, who is of Ghanaian origin, wasracially abused during Italy’s 1-1 draw with Spain in Gdansk Sunday as well as similar allegations involving Russian fans and Czech player Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is of Ethiopianorigin.