Porto fined over Mario abuse Balotelli

Porto have been fined £16,700 by UEFA after their supporters racially abused Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in February. The European governing body confirmed the punishment on Tuesday night following a meeting of its control and disciplinary body which took place last week. City lodged a complaint after Balotelli was subjected to monkey taunts during the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at the Estadio do Dragao on 16th February. The Portuguese club have three days to appeal against the verdict. There were outbreaks of monkey chanting throughout the game, which City won 2-1, but it appeared most noticeable when Balotelli was substituted 12 minutes from time. Porto coach Vitor Pereira later claimed there may have been a misunderstanding and that fans were actually chanting, "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk" at the club's star player. That has been dismissed, with a statement reading: "The UEFA control and disciplinary body has imposed a fine of €20,000 on FC Porto for racist conduct of their supporters at their first-leg round of 32 UEFA Europa League match against Manchester City FC on 16 February in Porto."