• Europa League

Porto fined for Balotelli abuse

April 3, 2012
Mario Balotelli was racially abused in Porto © Getty Images
Enlarge

UEFA has fined Portuguese club Porto £16,700 after their supporters racially abused Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in February.

The European governing body confirmed the punishment following a meeting of its control and disciplinary body which took place last week.

City lodged a complaint after Balotelli was subjected to monkey taunts during the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at the Estadio do Dragao on February 16.

Porto have three days to appeal against the verdict. There were outbreaks of monkey chanting throughout the game, which City won 2-1, but it appeared most noticeable when Balotelli was substituted 12 minutes from time.

Porto coach Vitor Pereira later claimed there may have been a misunderstanding and that fans were actually chanting, "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk'' at the club's star player.

That has been dismissed with a statement reading: "The UEFA control and disciplinary body has imposed a fine of 20,000 euros on FC Porto for racist conduct of their supporters at their first-leg round of 32 UEFA Europa League match against Manchester City FC on 16 February in Porto.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices