French Football League launch investigation into racist abuse aimed at Mario Balotelli
Striker was amazingly booked by the referee after he complained of monkey chanting from supporters during Nice's defeat to Dijon
THE French Football League have confirmed they are investigating the alleged racist abuse aimed at Mario Balotelli last weekend.
The Nice striker was furious after he became the target of monkey chants from Dijon supporters during last week's 3-2 defeat.
Amazingly, he was then booked by the referee after he complained to the official about the abuse.
The LFP announced earlier this week that they were examining the facts behind Balotelli's claims.
And now they have decided "to put the matter under investigation. The designated investigator will deliver their conclusions at the sitting on Thursday 15 March, 2018," according to a statement on their website.
As it stands, the yellow card Balotelli received still stands with official Nicholas Rainville insisting he did not hear any insults.
And he is also adamant that he would never have cautioned the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward had he done so.
SunSport reported earlier this week that the Representative Council of Black Associations (CRAN) were seeking legal action against Rainville.
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They said that the whistleblower's lack of action over the shocking and vile chants made him "complicit" in racism.
France refereeing chief, Pascal Garibian, hit back at those remarks from CRAN and dismissed them as "ridiculous and scandalous".
It is not the first time that Balotelli has complained of being racially abused.
He claimed Bastia supporters subjected him to the vile chants last season.
The Corsican club received a suspended one-point deduction and a partial stadium closure for three games after an LFP probe.
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