Ready for anything: Young training with England

Unlike Balotelli's original outburst, Van Bommel's stance was fully in line with UEFA's policy that players cannot leave the pitch without the referee's agreement, no matter how serious the abuse.

Yesterday FA chairman David Bernstein reiterated that view, saying: 'The referee is in charge. I saw Michel Platini three or four weeks ago and he assured me they have instructed the referees very clearly what to do if there are incidents in terms of taking players off the pitch. It is down to the referees. I don't want to get into a scenario, and I know [England manager] Roy Hodgson doesn't, where we are taking arbitrary decisions of our own.

'We will rely on the referees to adhere to the structure they've been given by UEFA. We will watch these things carefully and act if necessary. We hope it won't be necessary.'

Anti-racism campaigners claimed yesterday that Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie was racially abused by fans during Friday's 4-1 defeat by Russia. But there was no complaint from the Czech camp.

While UEFA and the authorities in Poland and Ukraine may succeed in silencing the racist minority at Euro 2012, they are powerless to protect the players from the kind of vile abuse Balotelli has suffered on the internet, especially since his threat to walk out of the tournament.

Italy's coach, Cesare Prandelli, said yesterday that he would make a public show of affection to Balotelli if the 21-year-old is abused during the championship.

But, pointedly, Prandelli added: 'I don't think we should publicise this. The more we speak about it, the more people will use it as an instrument.'

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