During Borussia Dortmund's title-deciding match against second-place Bayern Munich, the home fans sitting behind visiting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer heaved a steady stream of bananas at him. Though he tried to ignore it, even Neuer -- who used to play for Dortmund rivals Schalke -- couldn't help but smile at the odd scene (video here).

Not quite but we're getting there. The JimmyG2 Column Apparently I was the only one that saw the huge Fyffes banana blimp that had been moored over WHL since the third round draw was made. But it was safely towed away and deflated without too much difficulty. I can't believe that I was the only one that saw the 100ft.

Much of the top o'the headlines furor due to the Luis Suarez and John Terry racism issues has seemingly boiled over, the print now focusing on the Andy Carroll rubbishness issues which have been brought to light through Luis' siesta, but it's now at least time for a solid wrap on the situation.

By Chris Wright

WIND BANANA!*

(*I have absolutely no idea what a 'wind banana' is)

Video: 101GG

The bissextile or leap year has, despite its unswerving will to make the world work for free, aligned itself with some great things. The first Playboy club was opened on a leap year, the Olympics and European Championships are on leap years, and the motivational speaker Tony Robbins, described as "banana hands" by Jack Black in Shallow Hal, was born on a leap year becoming one of four million.

By Chris Wright

It is being reported that Anzhi centre-half Christopher Samba was given the ol' Russian Banana Salute (as given to Roberto Carlos and Peter Odemwingie before him) by Lokomotiv Moscow fans during Sunday evening's game between the two sides.

Russian clubs are flush with cash. Anzhi Makhachkala's new coach is Guus Hiddink. They are ready to break the bank to entice Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. But so many of their fans are still provincial and racist.

FIFA and the Russian FA faces an enormous task ahead of the 2018 World Cup to educate and enforce zero tolerance when it comes to racism.

By Chris Wright

As we mentioned yesterday, Anzhi's Chris Samba was given the Russian Banana Salute at the weekend when some dingbat hurled one at him from the Lokomotiv Moscow VIP area this being the very footage that led Lokomotiv president Olga Smorodskaya to proclaim that 'nothing happened' and that the whole thing was a 'surreptitious set-up' to drag her club through the mud.

This is pretty tragic, more so because it's neither surprising nor uncommon in the Russian Premier League. In fact, one fan was recently acquitted of racial abuse for throwing a banana at Roberto Carlos because he'd simply chucked it out of anger. Mmhmm.

Christopher Samba, new to Anzhi in the last month, received a rude welcome to go with the boffer pay packet they're handing out in Dagestan these days.

By Chris Wright

So, as well as Neven Subotic giving Arjen Robben the old 'Keown' treatment after a spaffed penalty, it seems that Bayern Munich 'keeper Manuel Neuer was also subjected to a bit of antagonisation during last night's clash at the Bundesliga summit - finding himself engulfed in a banana blizzard at one point.

By Chris Wright

There's no sitting on the fence with Mario Balotelli vis-a-vis the preemptive racism storm a-brewing ahead of Euro 2012. The new Italian No. 9 - who has endured more than his fair share of abuse in the past has vowed to 'kill anyone' who throws bananas at him in the street in Poland and/or Ukraine, telling France Football:

"If [racism] does happen I would leave the pitch and go home.

TweetItalian striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012 and said he would 'kill' anyone who dares to throw a banana at him. With just a week to go until the European Championships begin proper much has been made about the levels of racism and [.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli has vowed to "kill" racist fans during this summer's Euro 2012 tournament if they rear their ugly heads towards any minority players. Balotelli has been the subject of horrific racist incidents in the past, and has cautioned any potential racist fans and scene-makers to stay at home.

Someone with more Photoshop skills needs be on the task right about now.

With the concerns of racism in Polkraine during the Euros running long in the media, a number of players have come out with their thoughts on the situation. As ever, Mario Balotelli's are worth several photos, a graphic novel and a legal consultation.

Mario Balotelli says that he will QUIT Euro 2012 if he suffers any racist abuse.

The Manchester City striker has been targeted by bigots previously during his career, and says he will turn his back on the upcoming tournament if he experiences any such abuse during it.