Inter face sanctions over Balotelli abuse

The Lega Serie A will meet today to consider sanctioning Inter after fans reportedly directed racial abuse at Mario Balotelli during Sunday’s derby.

Former Inter striker Balotelli was facing his old club for the first time since joining Milan in January, with Ezequiel Schelotto’s second-half goal earning the Nerazzurri a 1-1 draw after Stephan El Shaarawy opened the scoring before the break.

Balotelli, who missed a couple of good chances on goal, was always likely to be the target of abuse for the Inter fans but reports in the Italian media suggest a section of supporters may have targeted him for his skin colour.

A Lega Serie A spokeswoman said that the disciplinary council would rule on the events of the match at the San Siro among others from the weekend’s fixture list in a meeting held in Milan this afternoon.

Gazzetta dello Sport also reported that inflatable bananas were waved at Balotelli by several Inter supporters during the match and, in the second half, Balotelli was seen to raise his finger to his lips in an apparent bid to silence his detractors.

If fans are adjudged to have directed discriminatory or racist language at Balotelli then Inter face a fine of at least €15,000. The club were fined that amount when Inter fans chanted racist songs about the striker during a recent league game against Chievo.

Inter president Massimo Moratti apologised afterwards while expressing his hope there would be no repeat in the derby.