I adore Balotelli

[2399]

Looks like he will hopefully get a four game suspension

[Jakerbeef]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16711526.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mario Balotelli's agent has warned the striker could quit English football if he continues to receive what he sees as unfair treatment.

Balotelli, 21, is facing a four-match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

The City forward appeared to stamp on Scott Parker before scoring a late penalty to secure Manchester City's 3-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday.

"I think he feels persecuted; he cannot go on like that," said Mino Raiola.

Agent Raiola added on BBC Radio 5 live: "We had a very clear image of his career at the beginning and I told the press openly Mario will have to stay at Manchester City for at least three of four years, helping the club on this important project and grow as a man and a player.

"Obviously if he's being banned every three or four games for one reason or another we cannot go on like that and there needs to be an end to that.

"So if that's the case and English referees and the English FA would like Mario to go out of England then we would take that seriously in consideration, even if that's not and was not our intention.

"He [Mario] is very disappointed about the decision. He loves playing in England. He keeps asking 'why always me, why does it always come back to me?' He loves playing in England and I think he feels persecuted."

Balotelli joined City in a £24m deal from Inter Milan in the summer of 2010 but has been involved in a number of controversies on and off the pitch.

He has been sent off three times, was unable to continue after suffering an allergy to the grass in Kiev, threw a dart at a reserve team player and escaped injury after a firework was let off in his house.

Raiola is adamant that his player did not deliberately hurt Parker in the win against Spurs, insisting that TV replays back up his claim.

"He didn't do anything on purpose, he was clearly pushed and was out of balance and put down his feet," said the agent.

"That's also clear in the slow-motion replays."

Raiola had earlier suggested he felt there might be a conspiracy against foreign players such as Balotelli and City team-mate Vincent Kompany, who was also suspended for four games earlier this month.

He told Italian reporters: "I want to be balanced but I'm worried because when English players are involved in more serious things, nothing happens, whereas when foreigners are involved, such as Balotelli or Kompany, they were treated harder.

"If I find that there is something strange against Balotelli, my duty is to protect and then take him away.

"In this case I would speak with City, I'd ask them Balotelli's price and would look for the best team for him, as there are only six or seven teams he can play for."

Manchester City have yet to decide whether to appeal against the violent conduct charge, but first-team coach David Platt hinted on Tuesday that the club would reluctantly accept the decision.

Balotelli has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charge.

Earlier this month the FA rejected City's appeal against Kompany's controversial sending-off in their FA Cup third-round defeat by Manchester United.

Kompany was handed a four-match ban for his second red card of the season.

Hilarious. Just cos you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you eh?

[bobo the clown]

I think it's just that the higher you get the more untouchable you feel. So when you don't get away with something you feel the World's against you.

Ever thus and certainly what drives the Stretford, Arsenal, Liverpool paranoia

[Choppers]

Have to say I'm still 50:50 on whether it was intentional or not.....

You are joking, right? His natural movement would be to bring his foot forward, not stamp it back.

Well yes...I think it is possible he was trying to ground his foot. Also the speed it happened at, I'm not convinced he could have calculated a stamp.

At the same time, it doesn't look good and like you say doesn't seem natural.

He'll be banned and I don't think he can have any complaints even if it was accidental. When he looks at it he'll have to admit it looks bad!

FWIW I don't think it was intentional either.

I also think they'd already decided on him being a bad guy before it happened, the commentary was sickening - a total witch hunt.

[Jakerbeef]

The problem is that sums up the media as a whole. Build 'em up, tear 'em down. Jade Goody "poppadum", Jonathan Ross' prank call, that woman who put a cat in a bin. There's a moralising frenzy to it and the only way to stay safe, is to stay out of its spotlight. Fact remains though it was a stamp and he deserves the punishment, minus the furore obviously.

Always been kinda thankful we have a relatively incognito team. A Davo clumsy tackle on notso Cleverly has been about the worst of it this year.

I think it's just that the higher you get the more untouchable you feel. So when you don't get away with something you feel the World's against you.

Ever thus and certainly what drives the Stretford, Arsenal, Liverpool paranoia

Two DMB mates of mine have their blinkers well and truly strapped on. One says the refs are completely impartial and don't give big teams the benefit of the doubt (aye right). The other tries to argue the fact that Utd don't get the decisions because the ref is afraid of looking like he's favouring the big team. Calmly pointed out to him it actually works the other way around.

Dozy buggers. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. People can't stand the glory-hunting trumpeting in the media and their fans, so when the mighty do fall, like out of the champions league to Basel for instance, we can't help but revel in it.

And so it goes on. Maybe we're all culpable.

[thebish]

The problem is that sums up the media as a whole. Build 'em up, tear 'em down. Jade Goody "poppadum", Jonathan Ross' prank call, that woman who put a cat in a bin.

how was cat-bin woman built up in the press before they tore her down?

[Hoboh]

The problem is that sums up the media as a whole. Build 'em up, tear 'em down. Jade Goody "poppadum", Jonathan Ross' prank call, that woman who put a cat in a bin.

how was cat-bin woman built up in the press before they tore her down?

Bitch should have been flogged

[a1]

Bitch should have been flogged

or award a medal for services to cleaner front lawns.

:/

[boltonboris]

Media still love him, as he writes headlines himself.

And it WAS a definite stamp

[The Axman]

I don't think it was a stamp... more an involuntary twitch brought about by the subconcious knowledge that a vulnerable part was there for the taking. All predators have that instinct, that or starve.

[Worthy4England]

The problem is that sums up the media as a whole. Build 'em up, tear 'em down. Jade Goody "poppadum", Jonathan Ross' prank call, that woman who put a cat in a bin.

how was cat-bin woman built up in the press before they tore her down?

Bitch should have been flogged

Cat O' Nine tails?

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I don't think that, when seen at full speed, the incident and intent were beyond reasonable doubt.

[bobo the clown]

I don't think that, when seen at full speed, the incident and intent were beyond reasonable doubt.

Dead right.

Fortunately that isn't the test required. It not being a court of law.

[Prufrock]

It isn't reasonable doubt in most courts of law. Don't actually know what test the FA use for these, I think it's balance of probabilities.

I think he meant it. It's a very odd movement otherwise. Not sure it's beyond reasonable doubt though!

[thebish]

It isn't reasonable doubt in most courts of law. Don't actually know what test the FA use for these, I think it's balance of probabilities.

I think they roll a pencil... two for really tricky decisions...

[Montreal Wanderer]

I don't think that, when seen at full speed, the incident and intent were beyond reasonable doubt.

Dead right.

Fortunately that isn't the test required. It not being a court of law.

Law courts here use both 'beyond a reasonable doubt' and 'balance of probabilities'. It depends on the nature of the case (criminal, civil etc.).

[Jakerbeef]

The problem is that sums up the media as a whole. Build 'em up, tear 'em down. Jade Goody "poppadum", Jonathan Ross' prank call, that woman who put a cat in a bin.

how was cat-bin woman built up in the press before they tore her down?

Bitch should have been flogged

Cat O' Nine tails?

Faster pussycat! Kill kill!

Well she was more to do with general, hysterical news coverage.

A woman putting a cat in a bin, out of idiot mischief, shouldn't be newsworthy.

[Annoyed Grunt]

He seems determined to get himself sent off today.

[CrazyHorse]

I can't stand Balotelli. There I've said it.

[Annoyed Grunt]

He seems determined to get himself sent off today.

Mission accomplished.