Racists target Italy’s Balotelli

Italy’s football chief Giancarlo Abete has condemned the racist chants directed at Mario Balotelli during the Azzurri’s training session yesterday.

The AC Milan forward was on the receiving end of racist abuse from a group of young men outside Italy’s training headquarters in Coverciano, Florence.

Local police had to intervene to allow Balotelli and the rest of the players to continue to train.

“This is unacceptable behaviour,” Abete said. “This should not happen.”

It is not the first time Balotelli has been the victim of racism.

In 2013, he was racially abused by a section of Roma fans during a Serie A game against them.

Italy team-mate Ciro Immobile also expressed his sadness at the incident and praised the way Balotelli handled himself.

“In 2014, we shouldn’t have to deal with racism,” he said at a team press conference. “We have to improve as a nation. Fortunately, Mario was very calm.

“We know how serious this is but we don’t want to further discuss this in the group.”