UEFA in spotlight over fines

UEFA found themselves under the spotlight yesterday after Croatia were fined less for monkey chants at Mario Balotelli than Nicklas Bendtner was for displaying a sponsored pair of underpants.

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) were docked €80,000 for offences which included the racist abuse of Italy striker Balotelli by between 300 and 500 of the country’s fans during Thursday’s Group C game in Poznan, which was also dogged by accusations a banana had been thrown onto the field.