Manchester City to report 'racist' abuse of their players at Porto

Manchester City plan to complain to Uefa about the alleged racial abuse suffered by some of their players during the Europa League game at Porto.

City won 2-1 at the Estadio do Drago , but after the game the club revealed that Mario Balotelli had complained to officials about chants from the stands. 

After the final whistle City manager Roberto Mancini said he had heard nothing unusual during the match.

"I didn't hear the noise, because I was concentrating on the game," he said.

BBC Radio 5 live reported that, at half-time, Manchester City media officers had informed them that they suspected that midfielder Yaya Toure and attacker Mario Balotelli had been the subject of racial abuse from certain home sections of the crowd.

In the 78th minute, when City substituted Balotelli, whistling and booing reached a crescendo.

After the game it was revealed that Balotelli had told a club official that he was subjected to racial abuse from the stands. The club then announced that they intended to report it to Uefa.

In the post-match press conference, Mancini insisted that the chanting had not disturbed him.

"I didn't hear [any racist chanting], sorry," he said. 

"I think Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure are too strong [to be affected]."

Mancini reserved special praise for Balotelli, calling his performance "calm".

"I think Mario did very well, he played very well," he said. "He was calm and it is important he continues like this.

"I think this provocation can happen every game. For this reason I spoke with Mario before the game. I said, 'Mario, think and play, think what you should do during the game. Forget other things.' I think only this is important."

City host Porto in the return fixture at Etihad Stadium on 22 February.