'Racist abuse' against Balotelli at Croatia game

Mario Balotelli was racially abused during Italy's 1-1 Euro 2012 Group C with Croatia at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan, Poland, an AFP photographer at the game said.

The photographer 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 Balotelli.

At one point he also saw a steward picking up a banana that had been thrown onto the pitch.

There was no immediate comment from UEFA, who said only that they were awaiting the referee's report from the match.