Yellow card warning for players

Players have been warned they will be yellow carded if they walk off the pitch as a result of being racially abused at the European Championships.

UEFA president Michel Platini confirmed the rule preventing players from leaving the field without the referee's permission would stand - even if they are the victims of racism from the stands in Poland and Ukraine.

Mario Balotelli last week threatened to walk off if he suffered racist abuse during Italy's Euro 2012 games, but Platini insisted the Manchester City striker would be punished for doing so unless the officials stopped the game. Platini said: "It's a yellow card."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.