Players to escape rap over Balotelli bust-up

MANCHESTER CITY and Manchester United are unlikely to be punished for the ugly scenes which marred the end of their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.

Players had to be separated at the final whistle after City striker Mario Balotelli taunted United supporters by thrusting the badge on his shirt in their direction to celebrate his side’s 1-0 win.

Incensed United duo Rio Ferdinand and Anderson had to be pulled away from Balotelli, who also winked sarcastically at Ferdinand as the players left the field.

The FA will examine footage of the bust-up today but it is understood action is unlikely to be taken against those involved.

Ferdinand used his Twitter account to attack Balotelli yesterday morning, saying: “If u score a goal+give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that but at the final whistle go to your own fans+enjoy it, not opposing fans.”

But he added of his own behaviour: “If I offended anyone, I apologise, emotions obviously running high.”

Team-mate Edwin van der Sar refused to become embroiled in the row over Balotelli’s conduct, saying: “He misunderstood which side of the stadium he needed to go to thank the supporters. Maybe in Italy they do things differently.”

Balotelli has been at the centre of several controversies during his career but City boss Roberto Mancini said of Saturday’s incident: “I didn’t see it. I want to wait because every time, ‘It’s Balotelli’s fault’.”

When events were described to him, Mancini joked: “Next week, we can put him in jail for this. Nothing big happened.”

Meanwhile, Paul Scholes is set to miss Manchester United’s top-of-the-table tussle with Arsenal on May 1 following his sending-off on Saturday.

Scholes was dismissed for a studs-first, thigh-high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta and if violent conduct is confirmed as the reason for his red card it will spell a three-match suspension.

That would rule the 36-year-old out of tomorrow night’s trip to Newcastle, the Easter Saturday encounter with Everton at Old Trafford and that crucial trip to the Emirates Stadium.