City report racial abuse to UEFA

Manchester City have informed the UEFA matchday delegate of their intention to complain about alleged racist abuse at Porto on Thursday.

Last Updated: 17/02/12 at 11:28 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Europa League. Click here to bet.

Balotelli: Celebrates equaliser

Balotelli: Celebrates equaliser

Striker Mario Balotelli complained about being subjected to abuse first, with midfielder Yaya Toure backing up his claim, leading to City informing the delegate of their plans to complain.

Although manager Roberto Mancini did not hear the abuse, Balotelli has told a club official he heard abusive chanting during the game at the Estadio do Drago, which City won 2-1.

Reports circulated during the match that Balotelli and Toure were subjected to monkey noises.

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."

When asked if either player had mentioned it to him, he said: "No."

Toure, speaking to Sky Sports News, confirmed he had "heard something" from the stands.

"That's why we all like the Premier League, because it never happens there," he said. "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 will become more open

"Football is football and the fans come to enjoy the game, and we don't want things like this to happen.

"Mario is now able to control things like this and that is very important for the club."

The matter made for a sour end to first leg of the last-32 contest and overshadowed a fine comeback by City.

The Barclays Premier League leaders trailed to the Portuguese champions at the interval after a 27th-minute strike from Silvestre Varela.

An own goal by Alvaro Pereira, who had been under pressure from Balotelli, gifted them an equaliser after 55 minutes and substitute Sergio Aguero snatched victory six minutes from time.

City will now be confident of securing a place in the last 16 in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

Mancini said: "I think it was a good result because it is difficult to win here. I think the guys were fantastic.

"I think we are 60% to go to the next stage but Porto is a top team.

"It will also be a difficult game in Manchester. We should keep the same concentration we had tonight."

With City not in action at the weekend, the players will have Friday off and Mancini did not fly back to Manchester with the squad.

That means his expected first meeting with striker Carlos Tevez since the Argentinian returned to the club from his unauthorised absence will be delayed.

@jim - PS - MUFC fans condemning Hobson on blogs is one thing....It still seems odd that MUFC did not come out with a statement condemning Hobson, or the media did not ask MUFC why they made no statement on the matter, givven the pressure put on LFC to make a statement even as the Deyemi alledged abuse was being reported within minutes of it happening...
- thebigpicture

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