UEFA are investigating claims a banana was thrown onto the pitch during Italy’s European Championship game against Croatia. Photos have emerged of a steward retrieving a banana in the 1-1 Group B draw in Poznan and a photographer heard monkey chants directed at Italy striker Mario Balotelli. 

European football’s governing body confirmed they were aware of the claims and said: “We are looking into reports.” If the banana-throwing incident was intended as an insult towards Balotelli, it would arguably represent the most serious bout of racism at a tournament that has been dogged by the problem. 

Balotelli said before Euro 2012 he would ‘kill” anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and would “not accept racism at all”. UEFA are already probing allegations of racist abuse against the Manchester City striker in Italy’s opening match against Spain on Sunday. Balotelli, 21, said he would walk off the pitch if he was racially abused by fans at Euro 2012. 

http://www.lowryllp.com

http://www.notaryengland.co.uk