UEFA steps up probes into racism claims
Source: Agencies |
June 13, 2012, Wednesday
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UEFA stepped up investigations yesterday into alleged racial abuse directed at Italy forward Mario Balotelli and Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie.
UEFA said it received new reports "regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting" at the European Championship.
"UEFA is now conducting further investigations," UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner told reporters. "There are however, no disciplinary proceedings opened at this moment in time."
UEFA pledged zero tolerance of racism at its showpiece tournament, but has stressed it needs clear evidence before prosecuting cases through its judicial bodies.
A Spanish fans' group acknowledged on Monday that "about 200 supporters" made monkey chants at Balotelli during the Spain-Italy match on Sunday in Gdansk, Poland.
Faulkner said UEFA will also seek evidence from Czech team officials about chants directed by Russian fans at Gebre Selassie in Wroclaw last Friday.
Gebre Selassie said that he was abused, but declined to file a complaint. "It was nothing extreme. I've experienced much worse," said the 25-year-old Czech-born player, whose father is Ethiopian.
UEFA rules make national federations responsible for their fans' behavior. A first offense would probably receive just a financial penalty, though further punishments could include deducting group points from teams and ultimately expelling them from Euro 2012.
Italian officials also declined to make an issue of reports that abuse was targeted at Balotelli.
On Monday, UEFA said it had written to Poland's sports minister and mayors in cities hosting matches and training camps urging them to police training sessions more intensively and prosecute offenders.
UEFA said it received new reports "regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting" at the European Championship.
"UEFA is now conducting further investigations," UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner told reporters. "There are however, no disciplinary proceedings opened at this moment in time."
UEFA pledged zero tolerance of racism at its showpiece tournament, but has stressed it needs clear evidence before prosecuting cases through its judicial bodies.
A Spanish fans' group acknowledged on Monday that "about 200 supporters" made monkey chants at Balotelli during the Spain-Italy match on Sunday in Gdansk, Poland.
Faulkner said UEFA will also seek evidence from Czech team officials about chants directed by Russian fans at Gebre Selassie in Wroclaw last Friday.
Gebre Selassie said that he was abused, but declined to file a complaint. "It was nothing extreme. I've experienced much worse," said the 25-year-old Czech-born player, whose father is Ethiopian.
UEFA rules make national federations responsible for their fans' behavior. A first offense would probably receive just a financial penalty, though further punishments could include deducting group points from teams and ultimately expelling them from Euro 2012.
Italian officials also declined to make an issue of reports that abuse was targeted at Balotelli.
On Monday, UEFA said it had written to Poland's sports minister and mayors in cities hosting matches and training camps urging them to police training sessions more intensively and prosecute offenders.
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