Croatia: In hot water

European football's governing body announced they were taking action against the Croatian Football Federation over the racist behaviour of their fans during the country's 1-1 Group C draw against Italy on Thursday.

It was unclear this afternoon whether the proceedings were also intended to deal with claims a banana was thrown onto the field during the game in Poznan or if that would be handled separately.

UEFA said in a statement: "UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols) at the UEFA Euro 2012 Group C match against Italy in Poznan on Thursday.

"The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on 19 June."

UEFA acted after the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network on Friday announced their observers heard between 300 and 500 Croatia fans chanting monkey noises at Italy striker Balotelli in Tuesday's match.

Reports a photographer witnessed a steward retrieving a banana from the pitch were also being looked into by European football's governing body.

If Thursday's purported banana-throwing incident is shown to be intended as an insult towards Italian striker Mario Balotelli, the fallout would be potentially the biggest yet at a tournament that has been dogged by allegations of racist abuse.

Balotelli said before Euro 2012 that he would "kill" anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and threatened to walk off the pitch if racially abused.

UEFA had been probing allegations the Manchester City striker, 21, was subjected to monkey chants in Italy's opening match against Spain on Sunday.

It was unclear whether they were still looking into that.