Time to focus: Balotelli and Italy will take on Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-final

Balotelli, now preparing for Thursday’s semi-final against Germany in Warsaw, said before Euro 2012 that he would walk off the pitch if he was racially abused.

On Tuesday UEFA also opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish football federation and the Russian football union for alleged racist behaviour and chanting by fans.

European football’s governing body fined the Croatian football federation €30,000 after supporters threw fireworks and  displayed ‘inappropriate and racist banners’ during a match against Spain. It was Croatia’s second racism-related sanction of the tournament.

In Krakow the focus for the Italians remained on trying to do to Germany what they did to England on Sunday night in Kiev.

Andrea Pirlo, the architect of England’s destruction, appeared before the media and had few words of encouragement for Roy Hodgson’s beaten quarter-finalists.

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