The Russian and Spanish football federations have both received UEFA charges relating to alleged racist chanting by fans at Euro 2012, UEFA said Tuesday.
Russia’s case relates to their opening 4-1 win over the Czech Republic on June 8, when an anti-racist observer in the crowd reported monkey chants directed at Czech defender Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is black.
The Russian Football Union has already received a total of €155,000 in UEFA fines and a six-point suspended penalty for Euro 2016 qualification for various crowd offences at Euro 2012.
The Spanish federation’s charge relates to their opening 1-1 draw with Spain, two days after the Russia game, after which a Spanish fan representative said that some in the crowd had aimed racist abuse at Italy’s Mario Balotelli.
Both cases will be heard on Thursday by a UEFA disciplinary panel.
The only other racism case dealt with by UEFA at Euro 2012 saw Croatia fined €80,000 last week for racism and the use of flares in their 1-1 draw with Italy.
Croatian fans shouted monkey chants at Balotelli and displayed racist banners during the game, UEFA said.
The size of Croatia’s fine attracted criticism from some in the football world, including Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, after UEFA fined Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner €100,000 for displaying sponsorship on his underpants.
