Euro 2012: Uefa launch racism investigation after claims banana was thrown at Mario Balotelli

THE European Championship was plunged a serious racism row today after it emerged a banana may have been thrown at Mario Balotelli.

Photographer witnessed a steward retrieving a banana

• FARE report that 300-500 Croatia fans chanting monkey noises

• Balotelli had threatened to walk off the pitch if racially abused

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UEFA confirmed this afternoon they were “looking into” reports a photographer witnessed a steward retrieving a banana from the pitch during Italy’s clash with Croatia yesterday.

The FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network also announced their observers heard between 300 and 500 Croatia fans chanting monkey noises at Balotelli in the 1-1 Group C draw in Poznan.

UEFA confirmed they were aware of the racism claims, saying: “We are looking into the reports.”

If yesterday’s purported banana-throwing incident is shown to be intended as an insult towards Balotelli, the fallout would be potentially the biggest yet at a tournament that has been dogged by allegations of racist abuse.

Balotelli said before Euro 2012 that he would “kill” anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and threatened to walk off the pitch if racially abused.

UEFA are already probing allegations the Manchester City striker, 21, was subjected to monkey chants in Italy’s opening match against Spain on Sunday.

That may have been missed by FARE observers but yesterday’s apparent repeat was not.

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli, who on Monday rejected claims Balotelli was racially abused during the game against Spain, insisted today he was unaware of yesterday’s alleged banana-throwing incident.

“No, I haven’t seen anything,” he said.

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The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) later confirmed the claims and accompanying photograph had been brought to their attention but added that no-one from their delegation witnessed the incident during the game.