Inter Milan fined following racial abuse of Mario Balotelli

The AC Milan striker was subjected to abuse during the weekend's derby

Mario Balotelli pictured during the Milan derby (GETTY IMAGES)

Inter Milan have been fined 50,000 euros (£43,200) after their fans racially abused Mario Balotelli in Sunday's derby against AC Milan.

The former Manchester City striker has also been fined 10,000 euros (£8,600) for his behaviour during the match.

The Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Inter fans waved inflatable bananas at their former striker. In the second half, Balotelli pressed his finger to his lips in an apparent bid to silence his detractors.

He was also seen spitting in the direction of his former fans.

The Italian international was facing his former club for the first time since joining their rivals in January. Ezequiel Schelotto's second-half goal levelled for Inter, to earn a 1-1 draw after Stephan El Shaarawy's first half opener.

Serie A bosses met today to discuss potential punishments for Inter following the incident and have opted to fine the club for the behaviour of their fans. As well as Balotelli, AC Milan were also hit with a 10,000 euro fine for unveiling "insulting banners".

It is the second such fine for Inter this season, after a section of fans were heard singing racist songs about Balotelli during a Serie A match against Chievo.

Racism has dogged Italian football this season with a number of high profile incidents.

Earlier this month AC Milan vice-president Paolo Berlusconi - the younger brother of club owner Silvio - was filmed at a political meeting calling Balotelli “negretto della famiglia” - translated as “the family's little n****r”.

And a month earlier, the older Berlusconi praised praised midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng for walking off the pitch after he was racially abused during a friendly against Pro Patria.