Michy Batshuayi questioned if UEFA cares about tackling racism after European football's governing body on Thursday dropped the investigation into his complaints that he was subjected to abusive chants at Atalanta in the Europa League.
UEFA opened the probe late last month after Batshuayi, on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Chelsea, claimed home fans directed monkey chants towards him during the second leg of the last-32 tie in Italy.
Atalanta faced charges of racist behaviour, but UEFA said on Thursday afternoon that its [control, ethics and disciplinary body "has decided... to close the disciplinary proceedings opened for racist or discriminatory behaviour."
In response to the news, Batshuayi laughed at the decision on Twitter:
LOL. Must be my imagination 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/50BrKZz6mu
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) March 29, 2018
« Its just monkey noise who cares ? » 😂😂😂 2018 guys ...
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) March 29, 2018
UEFA fined Atalanta €34,000 for the setting-off of fireworks, throwing of objects and blocked stairways on Feb. 22, but offered no explanation as to why the racial abuse proceedings had been dropped. Dortmund were fined €40,000 for the setting-off of fireworks and throwing of objects.
Batshuayi had scored twice in the first leg between the teams, and the second leg in Italy ended in a 1-1 draw to send the German side through 4-3 on aggregate.
Earlier this month, Batshuayi shared a number of racist messages he has received on social media, writing "the problem is real."
Atalanta were fined €40,000 for another racist incident four years ago after a fan threw a banana at AC Milan's Kevin Constant.
Meanwhile, UEFA also announced on Thursday that Basel had been fined €8,000 for setting off fireworks in the Champions League last-16 match at Manchester City on March 7.
Information from The Associated Press and Press Association was used in this report.