Juve Promise Action On Balotelli

Following the Europa League draw on Friday, Juventus have stated they will not tolerate any further abuse of City striker Mario Balotelli.

City’s new striker was subjected to racial abuse by Juventus fans whilst playing for Serie A rivals Inter Milan last season and the Turin club have warned by UEFA following the draw, which also paired the blues with Austrian side Salzburg and Lech Poznan of Poland.

Juve chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc said the meeting of the two sides would be a chance for the Juve supporters to ‘demonstrate they have raised the standard’ when the teams meet in December.

“Supporting your team is to support your team, and not to make remarks of a racist nature toward other players. We will be extremely demanding and intransigent about this,” continued Blanc.

The blues travel to Austria on 16^th September for the opening game before facing Juventus at Eastlands on 30^th September. But City have to wait until 21^st October to face Lech Poznan at Eastlands before playing the return in Poland on 4^th November. 1 December sees Salzburg arrive at Eastlands before the big game in Turin on Thursday 16^th December. By that time, the blues should already have sealed their place in the knock out stage.