Balotelli faces club fine
City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted he has not seen the latest reports but is prepared to throw the book at Mario Balotelli.
The Italian striker has been no stranger to controversy both before and after his £24m move from Inter Milan in the summer of 2010, having thrown a dart at a reserve team player and escaping injury after a firework went off in his house, while being sent off three times in his City career and complaining of a grass allergy in Kyiv.
The 21-year-old scored on Saturday to seal a 2-0 win over Bolton to extend City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points – Balotelli’s second goal since returning from a four-match suspension for allegedly stamping on Scott Parker last month.
The latest reports have claimed that the former Inter hitman was seen in a nightclub, breaking a club curfew prior to the weekend’s match.
Mancini has admitted he has not seen the latest claims but will conduct an investigation and punish the player if the reports are found to be true.
“I’m really disappointed,” said Mancini. “But I need to speak to him because I don’t know what or when it has happened. I will [stick with him] because he’s a good player but, if it is true, I will speak with him tomorrow and decide about the fine.
“Maybe if he goes to bed earlier, maybe he scores three goals [against Bolton]. Maybe he missed four goals for this reason.”