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UNDER ATTACK: Italy's Mario Balotelli

UEFA HAVE confirmed it will finally launch an investigation into the alleged racist chanting; during the Spain v Italy and Russia v Czech Republic games, earlier this week.

The first incident arose at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw on June 8, when Czech defender Theodor Gebre Selassie admitted in a press conference that he had ‘noticed’ racist vitriol directed at him.

Two days later, those in the Arena Gdansk stadium could clearly hear monkey chants, as Mario Balotelli featured for Italy in their 1-0 win over Spain.

Although neither Football Association has made a formal complaint, subsequent information has prompted Uefa to probe the incidents.

A statement read: “Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, UEFA is now conducting further investigations.

“There are, however, no disciplinary proceedings opened at this moment in time.”

This follows Mark Van Bommel’s complaint that monkey chants were directed at Holland’s black players, during an open training session after they arrived in the Ukraine.