Nigeria Defender Leon Balogun On Racial Abuse Of Chelsea Striker: It's Not Unusual In Italy

Speaking to T Online, Mainz's Nigeria international Leon Balogun was asked to comment on the racial abuse of Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi during Borussia Dortmund's Europa League clash against Atalanta on February 22.

Balogun and teammate Anthony Ujah had been racially insulted during the away game at Hannover and the central defender reacted by saying that there should not be room for racism in any corner of the world.

''Unfortunately, these conditions are nothing unusual in Italy. We have to do everything to ensure that things do not get that far in Germany and that they always crack down,'' Balogun stated.

''Two of the perpetrators of Hannover have received stadium bans, that's the right way. The punishments are also about repeatedly setting a signal.

''In Hannover, children have participated, who can not understand the consequences of their behavior at all. They do that because they look down on bad role models.''

UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body has opened disciplinary proceedings against Atalanta and will deal with the case on March 22.

Balogun was born in West Berlin to a Nigerian father and German mother and was eligible to represent the national teams of Germany and Italy before he made his competitive debut for the Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel