UEFA has confirmed it is opening a disciplinary probe into the alleged racial abuse directed at Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga while he was playing for Sweden Under-21s.
The alleged incident took place during Sweden's 1-1 draw with Italy in a European U21 Championship qualifier in Monza on Tuesday with the 19-year-old Elanga making the complaint after the game.
The Italian Football Federation has dismissed the claim and called for clarification from the European governing body.
On Thursday evening, UEFA confirmed a formal investigation would take place.
The game finished in dramatic fashion as Sweden snatched a stoppage-time equaliser.
Sweden submitted reports to both the referees and the match delegates.
"I do not want to go further into what was said and by whom, but when I heard from Anthony what was said, it became clear to me that this is something that needs to be reported," Martin Fredman, head of security at the Swedish Football Association, said in a statement.
"Neither Anthony nor anyone else for that matter should have to be exposed to that type of attack.
"Anthony is back in Manchester and is feeling well under the circumstances. We will of course have continued close contact with him and have a dialogue about how we handle this in the future."
The Italian federation (FIGC) insisted nothing of a racist nature occurred at any point, denying "in the most absolute way" that one of their under-21 players "expressed racist slurs against an opponent".
Elanga has made three senior appearances for Man Utd and scored in a 2-1 win against Wolves on the final day of last season.
Australian Associated Press
