Milan, Italy

Italy's Lega Serie A has fined Inter Milan 50,000 euros ($66,500) after some of its fans directed racial taunts at AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli during Sunday night's Milan derby

The league made the move after the 22-year-old striker was subjected to "racially discriminatory chants" by a section of Nerazzurri fans at the San Siro. Several supporters were also seen waving inflatable bananas toward the Italy international while whistling.

Milan also received a 10,000 euro ($13,300) fine for unveiling "insulting banners" directed at Balotelli.

The league also decked Balotelli 10,000 euros ($13,300) for directing a vulgar gesture at the Inter fans when leaving the pitch at the final whistle.

Sunday's game was the first time Balotelli faced his former team since moving from Manchester City to AC Milan last month.

Balotelli saw action for Inter from 2006-10, leading the club to three titles in his final season with the squad. Presently, he already has four goals for Milan.

Inter was recently fined 20,000 euros ($26,600) when a section of fans were heard singing racist songs about Balotelli during a Serie A match against Chievo.

 

AC Milan manager praises Balotelli for keeping cool amid racial taunts

Milan, Italy

AC Milan manager Massimilano Allegri heaped praises on his striker Mario Balotelli for keeping his cool amid the racial taunts thrown at him by fans of his former club Inter.

"Balotelli did very well not to react to the provocations, I'm just sorry he wasn't able to score," Allegri said after the game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

"He had a great first half. Let's not forget that he's 22 years old and he was playing against his former squad. It's to be expected that he felt pressure for this match," added Allegri.

This was the first time Balotelli faced his former team since moving from Manchester City to AC Milan last month.

For majority of the game, Balotelli had to endure the whistling from fans who were wielding inflated bananas.

Balotelli, however, did not cave in to the racial taunts, even gesturing to fans to keep quiet in the second half.

Balotelli saw action for Inter from 2006-10, leading the club to three titles in his final season with the squad. He has scored four goals for Milan.