Soccer:Uefa were today "looking into" claims a banana was thrown on to the pitch during Italy's European Championship game against Croatia yesterday.

A photographer was reported to have witnessed a steward retrieving a banana in the 1-1 Group C draw in Poznan as well as hearing monkey chants directed at Italy striker Mario Balotelli.

European football’s governing body confirmed they were aware of the claims.

If yesterday’s alleged banana-throwing incident was intended as an insult towards Balotelli, it would arguably represent the most serious bout of racism at a tournament that has been dogged by the problem.

Balotelli said before Euro 2012 that he would “kill” anyone who threw a banana at him in the street and would “not accept racism at all”.

Uefa are already probing allegations of racist abuse against the Manchester City striker in Italy’s opening match against Spain on Sunday.