Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli feels persecuted and could quit English soccer if what he sees as unfair treatment continues, his agent said on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old Italian, facing a four-match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the FA after an incident in Sunday's Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur, has hit the headlines for a series of controversies since joining City in 2010.
"I think he feels persecuted; he cannot go on like that," agent Mino Raiola told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We had a very clear image of his career at the beginning and I have told the press openly Mario will have to stay at Manchester City for at least three or 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."
Balotelli scored a stoppage-time winner from the penalty spot in the 3-2 victory over Spurs but later found himself in hot water after video replays showed he had appeared to stamp on the head of Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker.
Referee Howard Webb took no action at the time.
Balotelli, who has been sent off three times in barely 18 months with the club, has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to appeal but assistant coach David Platt suggested on Tuesday that such appeals were sometimes futile.
The club lost their appeal against centre back Vincent Kompany's red card earlier this month and he serves the final of a four-game ban in Wednesday's League Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool, where City will seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
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Comment 24 - 43 of 43
Good, sod off then you nut case. We don't need players like you here and as for 'being persecuted?' You're not allowed to stamp on opponents' heads, Mr Balotelli - that might come as a surprise to you, but it's true. If you do, you get in trouble.
Can you believe this guy?
English football does not need the kind of game that Balloteli brings, the introduction of foreign players was supposed to bring something to improve the English game, Rubbish. All I see is foreign players spitting at people diving to get a penalty, writhing around like they have had their leg sliced off when tackled and they lose the ball, abusing referees, (well ok maybe on that one). and being in general very greedy, uncommitted individuals who look only to their slice of their next transfer fee.
It is overdue that the FA limited each team to the maximum of four foreign players (and don't say they cant because of human rights, that's bollocks). This way maybe some of suppressed English talent would have a chance to get experience and actually play football each week instead of sitting out for prima donna foreign players.
go on, leave english football, we don't need you until you're all grown up!
Football would benefit greatly from some real deterrent penalties for thuggery. Minimum one year bans for racism and deliberate attacks on players would soon sort things out-without pay of course.
Good riddance Bald on telli.
See now this is the problem. PLAYER POWER! I know this could easily just be a bluff towards Mancini and the City Owner to try and pull strings, try and get to the bottom of these problems OF HIS OWN MAKING but this statement feels like a gun has been pulled out by Balloteli and his agent and are now trying to hold it to anyones head who doesnt want to see him leave City. Thats how the statement comes across to me, and i think its actually highly amusing that they think they could even try that tactic and that it could help Mario's situation, unfortunately i think this statement will merely send the media wolves into even more of a frenzy, try to discredit him even more and Balotellis "persecution" heh heh will continue even more than it already has been. Balotellis agent is not Kia is it? :) i would imagine that kind of bull from him but it seems other agents reckon they can bluff, lie, bulls**t their way to getting things how they want it. Seriously poor statement without acknowledging the players MAJOR part in his self made "persecution". Football is so like politics these days. If only there were more managers and owners and agents who actually told the truth instead of blaming anyone but themselves for their failings. Oh to have a league of David Moyes's! heh heh. The only manager i know who tries to not be a hypocrite.
Is he threatening the Prem.? I wouldn't miss him if he left. Who does he think he is? Johan Cruyff? Zico?
what about scott parker that cause balotelli to act that manner.. will parker escape just like that.. let justice prevail..
chukwutem.....I gather, by your intelect and ignorance, that you were brought up in a straw hut. If not, you belong in one anyway you complete cretin.
@Nigel
Could it be because other teams' players don't go round stamping on players' heads?
He just has to learn that football is not a murder sport, then he might fit in.......but, having said that, I feel that he belongs back in the jungle.
how about u stop stamping on people's heads?
john : I'd rather watch a league that has the most best teams in the world that has won the most CL and has the most world player of the year too than watching the most watched league in the world by the majority ASIANS! I suggest you watch the China football league and the Indian football league too! With their country population of over half the world's population, they must be among the most watch football league in the world too, you complete zero wit!! @#$% off and die for trying to completely change the subject!
If the fa goes ahead and ban Balotelli it will prove to all that they actually hate this guy, did they cancelle out the yellow card he was given at old traford after that fantastic goal? the answer is no. As for you John your insult those not in any way offend me rather i feel sorry for you because i know your parents thought you to hate so you cant help yourself.
Grow a pair Balotalli and do what you set out to do. BE A MAN !!! Geeeeez is it me or is Man City a breeding ground for mardy players ? Go throw your dummy somewhere else, maybe go to Argentina for a few weeks and you and Tevez can talk about it.
haha, did you see the guy, definately part of mario's cartoon world.
ballotelli is a major incident waiting to happen, he hasn't the intelligence to understand his why own actions keep making him look like a grade 1 idiot at best, my neighbours bins have got more about them than him.
thierreyas: Best team in Europe by a country mile is Barca, superb team and a joy to watch, however I still feel my dear Oldham Athletic could press them @#$% a good day.
@ John, but never the best team in Europe!
thierreyas: The best and most watched league in the world, take a trip to Asia, 1 billion homes tune into the EPL each Sat and Sun, the Americas millions watch.
Better you stick to your comics for entertainment you complete half wit.
Chukwutem: Ops another idiot on leave from Rampton, you are STUPID.
We hate foreigners, how can you say such a stupid thing, Zola, Henry, Cantona, Berkamp, Ginola, Torres, Ronaldo etc etc etc adored by one and all genuine football fans.
The only foreigner the English dislike are the bone idle scum bags who we feed on a daily basis, possibly your are one of these lazy bone idle foreigners.
Sorry about the Spelling.
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