Jun 20, 2012 04:35 AM EDT
Croatia Slapped With a Smaller Fine for Racist Chants Than Nicklas Bendtner's Pants Incident

In a shocking move, UEFA gave a much smaller fine to the Croatian Soccer Federation for racist abuse by their fans directed towards Mario Balotelli than Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner for displaying a sponsored pair of underwear.

UEFA fined Croatia only €80,000 ($125,000) while Bendtner was given a €100,000 fine and a one game ban. A photographer reportedly saw a steward retrieving a banana from the pitch in Croatia's match against Italy. There were also about 300-400 people subjecting Balotelli with monkey chants, every time the forward had possession of the ball.

A UEFA statement read: "The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has been fined €80,000 for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols) at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group C match against Italy in Poznan on Thursday 14 June.

"An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision."

The fine was the biggest UEFA have given for racist related incidents, but since it is significantly lower than the fine for Bendtner, there will be several questions raised about UEFA's priorities and their diligence in stamping out racism from soccer.

HNS condemned the "deviant behavior" of the fans. "The Croatian Football Federation distances itself from all deviant behaviour of the part of the fans during the final tournament of UEFA Euro 2012 and strongly condemns it.

"The HNS, its national team players and members of the technical staff support all UEFA activities aimed at identifying individuals whose behavior damages the reputation of the competition, no matter which country they come from."

This is Croatia's third fine for racism related incidents and UEFA president, Michel Platini said he was disappointed by the fans' behavior. "I'm not happy for Croatia I was in Croatia a year ago and I'm not happy. They have a good team which plays well but it's unacceptable when you've got a hundred or so such people among the crowd."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic had also expressed his disappointment and anger at his country's fans. "It (racism) is a big problem all around Europe and all around the world and on behalf of the entire nation, not even as a football manager, I want to say that I am really disappointed as a Croatian, a parent, and a sportsman, a person who comes from a modern, open-minded and tolerant state.

"Everyone is welcome in our county. I don't like these kinds of supporters and nor do my players. I don't want them to come into the stadium.

"I live in Croatia and we really are a tolerant county. We are not a racist country and we are angry at these few crazy supporters. We have to put sanctions on these kinds of supporters and stop them forever."

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