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ABUSED: Mario Balotelli was subjected to monkey chants during recent match with Croatia

ANTI-RACISM campaigners have reportedly slammed the £65,000 fine given to The Croatian Football Federation after Croatia fans were found guilty of racially abusing Italy's Mario Balotelli during a Euro 2012 group game.

UK-based group 'Show Racism the Red Card', who aim to fight racism in football, allegedly claimed the fine is 'not big enough', raising concerns about the message the move may have sent.

Show Racism the Red Card chief executive, Ged Grebby, told Goal.com: “It is a shame because the overall message on anti-racism has been really strong and that has come from Michel Platini at the top to the billboards at the grounds."

“All in all we are happy with the way Uefa have been dealing with racism but it just seems to me that this fine for the Croatian FA is simply not big enough," they added.

He continued: “I certainly hope that they learn from the criticism that has come their way over these fines. I know they have a ‘three strikes and you’re out policy’ that jumps quickly from fines to closing grounds and deducting points.

“If the initial fine was so big that it would have an effect that would be a big help because, let’s face it, 80,000 euros in football, especially at these championships, is not even the equivalent of a slap on the wrists.”

Anger

Manchester City and Italy player, Balotelli, was subjected to 'monkey chants' during a recent game against Croatia, previously declared that he will 'kill' someone if they racially abused him at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

The 21-year-old, who is of Ghanaian heritage, said: "If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to prison because I will kill him."

"If [racism] does happen I would leave the pitch and go home. Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it. We are in 2012, it can't happen.”