‘Super Mario’ in hot water over ‘racist’ picture
Balotelli reposted an image from the computer game Super Mario on his Instagram page which included the comment “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew”.
The Liverpool striker quickly deleted the posting on Monday night and issued an apology, claiming he was attempting to be “anti-racist with humour” but the 24-year-old is facing the prospect of a misconduct charge.
An investigation has begun and part of that involves the FA asking the player for an explanation.
It is understood Balotelli has been contacted and has until 6pm on Friday to provide a response.
FA guidelines regarding when to charge someone over a comment on social media state “deleting an inappropriate posting, whilst advisable, does not necessarily prevent disciplinary action being taken’’.
The Italy international will be spoken to by his club.
“We are aware of the posting which has since been promptly deleted by the player. We will be speaking to the player about the issue,” said a Liverpool spokesman.
The controversial image of Super Mario appeared with the heading “Don’t be a racist”. The text then read: “Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican, he jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”
After criticism began to mount online, Balotelli deleted the offending item and responded on his Twitter account: “My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please”. He also described reposting the image as “my Unlucky moment”.
Balotelli also tweeted: “I apologise if I’ve offended anyone.
“The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context may have the opposite effect.
“Not all Mexicans have moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.
“I used a cartoon done by someone else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.”
Liverpool have been embroiled in a racism row before when Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in September 2011.
The minimum FA ban for a race-related offence is five matches
Herman Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick It Out, said the footballer should not escape punishment altogether.
“Quite frankly, I think the FA has got to show consistency in everything it does and I don’t see how it can avoid charging him.”
Mario’s madcap moments
When police asked why he was carrying so much cash, he reportedly replied: ‘Because I am rich.”
The striker was reprimanded for throwing darts at a youth player at Manchester City’s training ground. He claimed he was ‘bored’.
October 2011: He and his friends caused £400,000 (€505,000) damage after fireworks were set off in the bathroom of his £3m home. He was renting the £7,500-a-month home in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire. Days later he is announced as the face behind a national fireworks safety campaign.
October 2011: Mario and 17-year-old brother Enock were arrested strolling through the grounds of a women’s prison in Brescia, near Milan. Balo told police he was just curious and “fancied having a look”.
In December 2011 he broke a club 48-hour curfew by visiting a curry house ahead of a match against Chelsea.
In March 2012 he gatecrashed a press conference to announce the appointment of Andrea Stramaccioni as Inter Milan’s new coach.
2012: After hitting the back of the net during Euro 2012 he didn’t bother to celebrate: ‘I don’t celebrate goals, I’m just doing my job,’ he infamously said. ‘Does a postman celebrate when he delivered the mail?’
2012: Reportedly sent by his mother to buy a list of supplies including an iron, a mop and a vacuum cleaner for his unclean living quarters. A few hours later, Mario came home with a van which proceeded to unload a giant trampoline, two Vespa scooters, lots of other toys but no cleaning products.
Won £25,000 in a casino and gave £1,000 to a homeless man outside the casino.
Handed out £50 notes to strangers when out shopping in Manchester.
In January 2013 Balotelli photographed grappling with manager Roberto Mancini with the pair pulled apart by coaches.
October 2014: Balotelli swaps shirts with Pepe during Liverpool’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, prompting criticism from fans, former players and even his manager Brendan Rodgers.
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