Thursday, May 23rd 06:14 PM IST

Inter Milan fined for racist chants against Balotelli

Feb 12, 2013

Inter Milan have been fined 15,000 euros after fans chanted racist slogans about their former striker Mario Balotelli during a Serie A match on Sunday.

Balotelli, who joined rivals AC Milan from Manchester City last month, was the target of abuse by Inter fans during their 3-1 home win over Chievo Verona.

Mario Balotelli. AFP

Mario Balotelli. AFP

Serie A said in a statement that Inter had been fined because their fans “directed insulting chants and expressions of racial discrimination towards the player of another team.”

Balotelli, who joined Inter in 2007 before moving to City in 2010, had upset Inter fans during his time at the club by wearing an AC Milan shirt on a television programme.

Milan and Inter are due to meet in Serie A on February 24 and Inter president Massimo Moratti said he hoped there would be no repeat of the abuse.

“I am very sorry,” he told reporters when asked about Sunday’s events. “I hope it doesn’t happen in the derby.”

Reuters

Firstpost encourages open discussion and debate, but please adhere to the rules below, before posting. Comments that are found to be in violation of any one or more of the guidelines will be automatically deleted:

Personal attacks/name calling will not be tolerated. This applies to comments directed at the author, other commenters and other politicians/public figures

Please do not post comments that target a specific community, caste, nationality or religion.

While you do not have to use your real name, any commenters using any Firstpost writer's name will be deleted, and the commenter banned from participating in any future discussions.

Comments will be moderated for abusive and offensive language.

Please read our comments and moderation policy before posting