MANCHESTER CITY WILL lodge a formal complaint with UEFA after striker Mario Balotelli was allegedly racially abused during last night’s Europa League tie against FC Porto.
A Maxi Pereira og and a late winner from substitute Sergio Aguero gave City a 2-1 win in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie, but celebrations were overshadowed when Balotelli informed club officials that he had heard supporters making monkey noises.
Manager Roberto Mancini said that he had not noticed the alleged abuse, which appeared most audible when the Italian striker was substituted in the 78th minute.
But Balotelli’s complaint was backed by his team-mate Yaya Touré, who confirmed that he had also “heard something” from the stands.
“That’s why we all like the Premier League, because it never happens there,” Touré told Sky Sports News afterwards. “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.”
