Racism mars City's Europa League triumph

18 February,2012 09:01 AM IST |   |  PA Sports

Man City complain to UEFA after supporters hurl racist abuse at Balotelli during win over Porto


Man City complain to UEFA after supporters hurl racist abuse at Balotelli during win over Porto

UEFA are awaiting their match delegate's report before deciding whether to take action against alleged racial abuse during Manchester City's Europa League win at Porto.


Manchester United players (blue) celebrate a goal during Thursday
night's Europa League match against Ajax Amsterdam in Holland.
Pic/AFP


City made an official complaint after striker Mario Balotelli was subjected to apparent monkey noises from the crowd during their 2-1 success at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night. After the game, Balotelli informed a club official he felt he had been abused. City midfielder Yaya Toure also backed up Balotelli's claim by saying he "heard something" from the stands.


Airborne: City's Mario Balotelli (centre) attempts to control the ball.
Pic/Getty Images


The midfielder said: "That's why we all like the Premier League, because it never happens there. 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.

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

Valencia blow for Man Utd
Man United manageru00a0 Alex Ferguson admitted it is "a bad blow" to lose Antonio Valencia for four weeks with a hamstring strain. Valencia had only been on the field for 10 minutes following his introduction as a second-half substitute.

After playing an integral role in Javier Hernandez's goal in United's 2-0 win over Ajax in Amsterdam, Valencia was immediately replaced. Ashley Young was also on target for United.

Other results:
>> Lokomotiv 2-1 Bilbao
>> Salzburg 0-4 Kharkiv
>> Lazio 1-3 Atletico
>> Plzen 1-1 schalke
>> warsaw 2-2 lisbon
>> AZ 1-0 Anderlecht
>> Udinese 0-0 Salonika
>> Trabzonspor 1-2 psv
>> Bucuresti 0-1 twente
>> Hannover 2-1 brugge
>> Krakow 1-1 liege
>> Stoke 0-1 valencia
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