5 instances of previous racist abuse in European football

Mario Balotelli

Fiery Italian forward Balotelli experienced one of the most harrowing situations when a section of home fans hurled some vitriolic racist abuse at him on May 13, 2013.

Unlike Boateng, Balotelli did not walk off.

Instead he just turned towards the offending supporters and raised a finger and placed it on his lips. The game was an important one against Roma, as victory in that encounter would have helped them seal third place and ensure qualification for this year’s Champions League.

Walking away would have meant a forfeiting of the game which would have cost Milan precious points.