Manchester City have informed the UEFA matchday delegate of their intention to appeal for alleged racist abuse of Mario Balotelli at Porto on Thursday.
London / NationalTurk – Striker Mario Balotelli complained about being subjected to abuse first, with midfielder Yaya Toure backing up his racial abuse claim, leading to Manchester City informing the Uefa delegate of their plans to complain. Porto faces serious charges if racist abuse claims will be approved.
Although manager Roberto Mancini did not hear the abuse, Mario Balotelli has told a club official he heard abusive chanting during the game at the Estadio do Drago, where Manhester City defeated Porto with 2-1 despite falling back 0-1.
Some Porto fans chants Balotelli and Toure look like monkeys
Reports circulated during the match that Balotelli and Toure were subjected to monkey noises and racist chants.
But when asked about it, Mancini said: “I didn’t hear this because I was concentrating on the game. I don’t know if (it happened) to Mario and Yaya.” And when asked if either player had mentioned it to him, he answered: “No.”
Yaya Toure, speaking to Sky Sports News, confirmed he indeed had “heard something” from the Porto stands. “That’s why we all like the Premier League, because it never happens there,” he stated. “Maybe in foreign countries they don’t expect black players.
“I think in future it will be okay, they will change their minds and the game of football will become more open “Football is football and the fans come to enjoy the game, and we don’t want things like this to occur.
Uefa awaits Porto Manchester City game delegate’s report on Balotelli racism claims
UEFA are awaiting their match delegate’s report before deciding whether to take action against alleged racial abuse during Manchester City’s Europa League win at Porto. City lodged an official complaint with UEFA after striker Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure were subjected to a most sensitive issue allegedly taunted by Porto fans with racial abuse in form of monkey noises, overshadowing a good Europe League game and a fabolous comeback from Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao.
Tournament organisers UEFA, the European governing body, said they were still waiting for reports from their match delegates, which are usually received one or two days after each match.
“Mario is now able to control things like this and that is very important for the club.” said Mancini after the victory. What he said may be equally important for Manchester City as the victory.
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