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Mario Balotelli racial abuse case against Dijon dropped by French league

The French Football League (LFP) will take no action over Nice striker Mario Balotelli's claims that he was racially abused by Dijon fans last month.

Balotelli was booked for a gesture towards Dijon supporters during his team's 3-2 defeat last month.

During the game, he told referee Nicolas Rainville that monkey chants had been directed at him, repeating the claim to members of the Nice delegation after the final whistle.

Rainville said he would not have shown the former Manchester City and Liverpool striker a yellow card had he been aware of any racist abuse.

The LFP's disciplinary commission opened an investigation but said on Thursday that no punishment would be imposed on Dijon.

"After hearing representatives of Dijon and Nice, and reading the investigator's report, the commission has decided to close the case with regard to Djion's responsibility," a statement on the LFP website said.

"The commission has decided, however, to rescind the booking for the player Mario Balotelli."

Anti-racism group The Representative Council of Black Associations (CRAN) filed a complaint against "persons unknown" after the incident, and Dijon's Regional Court indicated it would "deal with the complaint quickly," reports said at the time.

CRAN also complained about Rainville, claiming he had been complicit in racism by booking Balotelli but failing to take action against those alleged to have abused him.

Balotelli made a complaint of racial abuse by Bastia supporters last season.

After an LFP investigation, the club received a suspended one-point deduction and a partial stadium closure for three games.