Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany have both criticised UEFA for the leniency of the fine given to Croatia regarding the racial abuse which their fans directed towards Mario Balotelli.

The Croatian football authority were fined £64,561 after a section of supporters made derogatory chants towards the Manchester City striker during Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy last Thursday.

The fine was £15,000 less than the £80,000 punishment given to Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner for carrying sponsorship on his underwear.

Kompany tweeted: "Uefa might need to review their order of priorities, don't you think?

"Surely if you were a sponsor, you would consider racism as a more dangerous association than the damage caused by commercial opportunism?"

Ferdinand, also via Twitter, added: "Uefa are not serious. [UEFA president Michel] Platini was a great player but him and his colleagues alienate themselves with exactly this type of rubbish."

Platini has expressed his disappointment at the behaviour of the Croatian support.