EURO TENA

UEFA investigate banana thrown on to pitch during Italy against Croatia as possible racism

UEFA are investigating claims a banana was thrown on to the pitch during Italy's European Championship game against Croatia.

Photos have emerged of a steward retrieving a banana in the 1-1 Group B draw in Poznan and a photographer heard monkey chants directed at Italy striker Mario Balotelli.

European football's governing body confirmed they were aware of the claims and said: 'We are looking into the reports.'

Incident: A steward holds a banana thrown onto the pitch

If the banana-throwing incident was intended as an insult towards Balotelli, it would arguably represent the most serious bout of racism at a tournament that has been dogged by the problem.

Balotelli said before Euro 2012 that he would 'kill' anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and would 'not accept racism at all'.

UEFA are already probing allegations of racist abuse against the Manchester City striker in Italy's opening match against Spain on Sunday.

On Monday, Italy boss Cesare Prandelli rejected claims Balotelli was abused against Spain, saying: 'That's absolutely untrue.'

Balotelli, 21, said he would walk off the pitch if he was racially abused by fans at Euro 2012.

UEFA are also looking into allegations Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie was subjected to monkey chants during his side's Group A opener against Russia last Friday.

Holland players claimed they heard racist chanting during an open training session in Krakow before the tournament even began.

Meanwhile, Balotelli could lose his place in Italy's starting line-up for Monday's final Group C game against Republic of Ireland.

Retrieval: The banana is picked up

The striker has been substituted in both his country's games so far and Prandelli said today: 'He has huge potential, but he needs to improve.

'He needs to be more ruthless and pay more attention. These are the areas he needs to improve.'

Prandelli was also asked about the alleged banana-throwing incident and said: 'No, I haven't seen anything.'

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) later confirmed they had been made aware of the banana-throwing claims and accompanying photograph.

But they said no-one from their delegation witnessed the incident during the game.

A spokesman said: 'There's not any official complaint at the moment about that.

'It's not quite clear where this photograph was shot at the game and whether it [the banana] was launched against Mario Balotelli.'

The FIGC have, however, written to UEFA expressing 'great regret' that their national anthem was booed by groups of Spain and Croatia fans during their Euro 2012 Group C matches.

In a statement, the Italian federation confirmed vice-president Demetrio Albertini had sent a letter to UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino to complain.

The FIGC acknowledged Italy supporters had jeered anthems in the past.

The FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network announced their observers had witnessed monkey chants against Balotelli during the game.

They posted on their Twitter feed: 'FARE observers report between 300 and 500 supporters of Croatia involved in racially abusing Mario Balotelli at last nights match in Poznan.

Fury: Mario Balotelli said he will 'kill' anyone who throws bananas at him

'UEFA received the observers reports this afternoon. We are working with them to provide as much information as possible #Euro2012.

'We congratulate the Italian fans for their support of Balotelli last night. Many sang his name to drown out the monkey chants #no2racism.'

Meanwhile, FARE also confirmed they had passed on complaints over comments made by Italy striker Antonio Cassano about homosexuals in the national squad.

Cassano apologised after saying he hoped there were no 'queers' among his team-mates.

The Croatian Football Federation were hit with a 25,000-euro (£20,298) fine on Friday for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks and missiles, and a pitch invasion by a supporter, during Sunday's win over Ireland.

Prandelli is planning three or four changes to his side for their final Euro 2012 Group C match against eliminated Ireland on Monday.          

To progress to the last eight, the Azzurri need to win and hope Spain or Croatia are victorious or draw 0-0 in their match. A scoring draw in the Spain game would complicate the mathematics of a three-way head to head.          

'There will be three or four changes,' said. 'Obviously in the third game, with regards to who I pick, we need freshness. We have no margin for error.'

Carroll call! £35m Liverpool striker to partner Welbeck but The Ox gets the chop

Roy Hodgson is poised to play Andy Carroll in tandem with Danny Welbeck against Sweden, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to make way for England's most expensive footballer.

After drawing the first Group D game against France, Hodgson is planning a more aggressive approach for Friday night's Euro 2012 clash in Kiev. 

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All smiles: Hodgson will partner Andy Carroll with Danny Welbeck for Friday night's clash with Sweden

He is expected to bring in Carroll to join Welbeck up front in a 4-4-2 formation, having paired them in training at Kiev's Olympic Stadium. Ashley Young is likely to start wide on the left.

Hodgson also considered using the pace of Theo Walcott and is thought to have assured the Arsenal winger he will play a key role in the tournament.

On the bench: Oxlade-Chamberlain will be relegated to the substitutes' bench for the showdown with Sweden

Six of the last seven goals conceded by Sweden have been headers and England won 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley in November with a header by Gareth Barry.

Hodgson suspects Sweden manager Erik Hamren will be terrified of Carroll, who ended the season in top form.

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