FA boss backs ref after Balotelli agent’s claim

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has leapt to the defence of referee Howard Webb following a sustained attack on the official in the wake of Mario Balotelli’s violent conduct charge.

Manchester City striker Balotelli chose not to appeal the charge triggering a four-match suspension and ruling him out of last night’s Carling Cup semi-final with Liverpool and the Premier League encounters with Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa.

City assistant manager David Platt yesterday said he felt Webb had seen the incident in real time and, therefore, Balotelli should not have been charged.