Croatia facing heavy penalty for racist chanting

Croatia are facing a possible stiff penalty after UEFA said on Saturday it was taking action over racist chanting against Italy's Mario Balotelli, with tough sanctions already meted out to deal with crowd trouble.

Croatia are facing a possible stiff penalty after UEFA said on Saturday it was taking action over racist chanting against Italy's Mario Balotelli, with tough sanctions already meted out to deal with crowd trouble.

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UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body is to announce its decision on Tuesday over what the organisation said was "the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols)" at Thursday's match.

The Group C match in Poznan finished 1-1. The sanction imposed on the Croatian football federation will be eyed closely given UEFA president Michel Platini's repeated assertion that there was "zero tolerance" for racism - and football-related violence - in the game. The executive director of the UEFA-backed Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), Piara Powar said between 300 and 500 Croatia fans were involved in racist chanting.

'Respect and dignity'

Michel Platini appealed to fans on Saturday to conduct themselves with "respect and dignity" following the violence and racism allegations which have marred Euro 2012.