Croatia fined €80K for racist abuse at Euro 2012

UEFA has fined Croatia’s football association €80,000 ($101,000) after fans racially abused Italy forward Mario Balotelli at a European Championship match.

The charges related to “the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols),” UEFA said in a statement.

UEFA received reports from stadium monitors that 300 Croatia fans made monkey noises at Balotelli during a 1-1 draw in Poznan last Thursday.

Earlier Monday, UEFA President Michel Platini said he was “not happy with the Croatian people.” Platini described the atmosphere at Euro 2012 stadiums as “99 per cent great. The people who come to the stadiums, they were nice, except some Croatians.”