UEFA Expands Probe Of Alleged Euro 2012 Racial Abuses

The Czech Republic's Theodor Gebre Selassie (left) was reportedly the object of racist chants from Russian fans.

European soccer's governing federation says it has expanded its investigations into alleged racial abuse of two players in first-round games at the Euro 2012 championship under way in Poland and Ukraine.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is looking into chants directed at Italian team forward Mario Balotelli and Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie.

Both players are black and of African background.

UEFA said on June 12 it had received new reports "regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting."

A Spanish fans' group acknowledged on June 11 that "about 200 supporters" made monkey chants at Balotelli during the Spain-Italy match on June 10 in Gdansk, Poland.

UEFA said on June 12 it would also seek evidence from Czech team officials about chants directed by Russian fans at Gebre Selassie in Wroclaw on June 8.

UEFA said no disciplinary proceedings had yet been opened over the cases.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP