LONDON, Sept 11: England’s Football Association (FA) has asked FIFA to launch an investigation into claims of racial abuse aimed at Emile Heskey during the team’s World Cup qualifying win over Croatia.

“We can confirm that we will be making a report to FIFA about the racist chanting aimed at Emile Heskey by some Croatia fans during the World Cup qualifying game in Zagreb.” a FA spokesman said.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to be subjected to racial abuse and we will be asking FIFA to investigate this. The FA and England team are determined to do all they can to eradicate any form of racism from football and society.”

England’s 4-1 away win over the Croats was marred by racist abuse directed at black striker Heskey. Monkey chants emanated from a section of the ground after Heskey was booked in the second half of the match and the Wigan striker confirmed that he had heard them.

“You have to let the people above deal with that and I’ll carry on playing my game,” he said. “They are ignorant people, you have to ignore it and enjoy your game. Their players weren’t happy about it either.”

FIFA, football’s world governing body, has the power to impose sanctions on the Croatian federation should the conduct of some of their fans be found to be racist.

Croatia were given a small fine during Euro 2008 for racist abuse from their fans during the game against Turkey, and they could escape a heavy punishment this time as the chants were made by a small section of the crowd in Zagreb.

Meanwhile, eighty-three football fans, mainly Croatian, were detained at Wednesday’s match while three people were seriously injured, police said on Thursday.—Agencies