Inter fined after fans found guilty of racially abusing Mario Balotelli

Tuesday 26 Feb 2013
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Inter Milan have been fined 50,000 euros after their fans were found guilty of racially abusing former Inter striker Mario Balotelli on Sunday.

Balotelli was playing for his new club AC Milan in the derby draw with Inter.

Inflatable bananas were waved by Inter fans but some observers questioned whether they were aimed at the striker who spent four years with the club.

Balotelli, who joined AC Milan in January, was fined 10,000 euros for an “insulting gesture” towards Inter fans.

During Sunday’s match at the San Siro the 22-year-old Italian international raised a finger to his lips in an apparent attempt to stop the abuse from the Inter fans.

But after the final whistle Serie A’s disciplinary commissioner deemed he had gesticulated to the opposition supporters and a fine was imposed.

The fine given to Inter was not just for the Balotelli abuse but also for racism towards Milan’s fellow former Inter player Sulley Muntari as well as offensive banners and a lasers aimed by fans at the eyes of the players.

Serie A issued a statement which said the abuse started “in the 11th minute of the first half” and continued “in the 11th, 15th, 16th and 19th minutes of the second half”.

In January Italian fourth division side Pro Patria were ordered to play one match behind closed doors as punishment for racist chanting towards AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng, who walked off the pitch and was followed by the rest of the players as a supposed friendly was abandoned.

Earlier this month, Inter were fined 15,000 euros (£12,900) after racist chants from some of their supporters about former Manchester City striker Balotelli at a match against Chievo.

AC Milan vice-president Paolo Berlusconi, brother of the San Siro’s club president Silvio, was also recently accused of using racist language to describe Balotelli.

From BBC Sport

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