Mario Balotelli is under investigation from The Football Association (FA) after post from one of his social media accounts appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.
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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 now facing the prospect of a misconduct charge.
An investigation has begun and part of that involves the FA asking the player for an explanation.
Balotelli, currently injured, was contacted yesterday morning and he has until 6pm on Friday to provide a response.
I apologize if I’ve offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that (…) pic.twitter.com/UlNeNlEz9M
— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) December 2, 2014
( my Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please)
— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) December 1, 2014
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, with the club’s spokesperson saying: “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.”
“The 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 posted an apology on Twitter, stating: “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. Again, I’m sorry.”
