Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was the victim of racist abuse during Italy's 1-1 draw with Spain.

Balotelli was racially abused during his side's Euro 2012 opener as hundreds of Spain fans made monkey noises at the Italy striker, reports the Daily Mail.

Photographer Chris Brunskill, a 35-year-old from Liverpool, witnessed the abuse in the 40,000-seater Arena Gdansk in Poland.

He said: "I was sat behind the goal with all the Spanish fans behind me and they were involved in monkey chanting and laughter and mockery whenever Balotelli was on the ball.

"The ringleaders were two fans who were in fancy dress as Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal. But the stewards just seemed to think it was a laugh, and they did nothing. They seemed to think it was a giggle.

"These two were at the centre of it in my view but there were hundreds in the Spanish section joining in. I would say there were around 200-300 who joined in at times. It was especially bad when Balotelli was involved in any kind of trouble or altercation, for example when he was booked."

Another photographer, Getty's Michael Steele from Wells, Somerset, said: "I could not see who was involved but it was obvious they were monkey chants. It was disgusting. There is no excuse for it. I am pretty sure Balotelli knew what was going on and heard it as he was close to that section of the crowd when he was booked.

"There were also what sounded like derogatory chants in Spanish with his name involved, but I do not know what they meant."