The Football Association has contacted Mario Balotelli to ask for his observations on a social media post which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.
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.
Press Association Sport understands Balotelli, currently injured so not in the squad due to play Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday night, has been contacted this morning and he 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 posted an apology on Twitter, stating: “I apologize 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.”
The minimum FA ban for a race-related offence is five matches.
PA
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The Football Association has contacted Mario Balotelli to ask for his observations on a social media post which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.
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.
Press Association Sport understands Balotelli, currently injured so not in the squad due to play Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday night, has been contacted this morning and he 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 posted an apology on Twitter, stating: “I apologize 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.”
The minimum FA ban for a race-related offence is five matches.
PA
.
Mario Balotelli could be facing a Football Association investigation over posts on social media which provoked claims of racism and anti-semitism.
The Liverpool striker 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 image of Super Mario – with whom Balotelli shares a nickname – 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" before the final line which has caused the controversy.
Balotelli quickly deleted the post but it soon spread on the internet. Balotelli, who has been a frequent victim of racism himself, responded on his Twitter account by writing: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please". He also described reposting the image as "my Unlucky moment".
However, former FA executive and current chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council Simon Johnson said Balotelli should face action.
"We abhor all forms of racism, wherever it is found," Johnson told the Daily Telegraph. "We call upon the FA to investigate this offensive social media post and to take action if appropriate if we are to succeed in kicking racism out of football."
Under the FA's social media guidelines, the minimum ban for race-related breaches of rules is five games.
PA
.
Mario Balotelli could be facing a Football Association investigation over posts on social media which provoked claims of racism and anti-semitism.
The Liverpool striker 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 image of Super Mario – with whom Balotelli shares a nickname – 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" before the final line which has caused the controversy.
Balotelli quickly deleted the post but it soon spread on the internet. Balotelli, who has been a frequent victim of racism himself, responded on his Twitter account by writing: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please". He also described reposting the image as "my Unlucky moment".
However, former FA executive and current chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council Simon Johnson said Balotelli should face action.
"We abhor all forms of racism, wherever it is found," Johnson told the Daily Telegraph. "We call upon the FA to investigate this offensive social media post and to take action if appropriate if we are to succeed in kicking racism out of football."
Under the FA's social media guidelines, the minimum ban for race-related breaches of rules is five games.
PA
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The Football Association will look into an anti-Semitic social media post by Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli later deleted the post on his Instagram page, which portrayed the Nintendo character Super Mario – with whom he shares a nickname – alongside a racial stereotype and anti-Semitic comment.
Balotelli was quickly criticised by other social media users, and the posts were deleted.
Balotelli later posted: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please (sic)."
A spokesman for Liverpool said: “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 incident comes after a controversy involving Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, who has been charged by the FA over comments about Jewish and Chinese people.
The Football Association will look into an anti-Semitic social media post by Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli later deleted the post on his Instagram page, which portrayed the Nintendo character Super Mario – with whom he shares a nickname – alongside a racial stereotype and anti-Semitic comment.
Balotelli was quickly criticised by other social media users, and the posts were deleted.
Balotelli later posted: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please (sic)."
A spokesman for Liverpool said: “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 incident comes after a controversy involving Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, who has been charged by the FA over comments about Jewish and Chinese people.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed to press on Monday morning that Steven Gerrard has been offered a new deal by Liverpool and believes the Reds skipper deserves time to think about his career going forward.
Video: YouTube user showmetheFOOTBALL
Much was made of the relationship between Rodgers and Gerrard over the weekend after the 34-year-old midfielder was left out of Liverpool’s starting line-up for their 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday.
Gerrard moved quickly to rubbish any rumours that he and Rodgers had fallen out, before news broke that the club have offered the former England international a one-year rolling contract, which includes a pay-cut.
“It is a big move not just in his life but in terms of committing where his next contract is going to be,” Rodgers told the media at Melwood during his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City.
“There are probably many things Steven would have to think about in a decision like this but it certainly won’t be money.”
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Brendan Rodgers confirmed to press on Monday morning that Steven Gerrard has been offered a new deal by Liverpool and believes the Reds skipper deserves time to think about his career going forward.
Video: YouTube user showmetheFOOTBALL
Much was made of the relationship between Rodgers and Gerrard over the weekend after the 34-year-old midfielder was left out of Liverpool’s starting line-up for their 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday.
Gerrard moved quickly to rubbish any rumours that he and Rodgers had fallen out, before news broke that the club have offered the former England international a one-year rolling contract, which includes a pay-cut.
“It is a big move not just in his life but in terms of committing where his next contract is going to be,” Rodgers told the media at Melwood during his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City.
“There are probably many things Steven would have to think about in a decision like this but it certainly won’t be money.”
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Liverpool face Leicester City on Tuesday evening, as the two sides face each other in the Premier League for the first time in a decade. We look back at that meeting, and how the Reds’ campaign panned out.
Back in March 2004 Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool side headed to the Walkers Stadium – now known as the King Power Stadium – to face Leicester City for the first time at their new ground.
The Reds were in the hunt for a vital Champions League place, tussling with Newcastle for the fourth and final spot, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all streets ahead in the top three. The Foxes, meanwhile, were on the verge of relegation.
When the two sides had done battle at Anfield earlier in the season, in September 2003, goals from Michael Owen and former Leicester hero Emile Heskey had inspired Houllier’s men to a 2-1 victory. Marcus Bent’s goal had been nothing more than a stoppage-time consolation.
The Game
Leicester City 0-0 Liverpool
Sunday 28th March 2004
Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Biscan, Traore, Cheyrou (Murphy 70), Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell, Heskey, Baros (Sinama Pongolle 85).
Leicester: Walker, Scimeca, Dabizas, Heath, Thatcher, Freund, Izzet, Nalis (Guppy 45), Ferdinand, Bent, Dickov.
Subs not used: Coyne, Benjamin, Canero, Gillespie.
This fixture was a relatively dull affair in truth, but there was always the feeling that Liverpool were in control of the match. They lacked firepower without injured star man Michael Owen though, who little did we know was coming to the end of his time on Merseyside.
Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann were both denied by Ian Walker, while Bruno Cheyrou hit the woodwork. Igor Biscan, also much-maligned at the time, headed just wide from a corner.
Leicester’s best chances came from two extremely experienced players, Paul Dickov and Les Ferdinand, but they couldn’t find a way past Jerzy Dudek. Their new ground didn’t have the same atmospheric, gritty feel that Filbert Street did; a ground where Liverpool were often tested down the years.
In the end both sides had to settle for a point, with a drab goalless draw the final outcome.
It wasn’t an ideal point for either team, but it did keep Liverpool in control of their destiny with regards to finishing in the top four.
What Happened Next?
Liverpool ended up clinching Champions League qualification, with Southampton’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle in their penultimate game gifting Houllier and his side fourth place. They met at Anfield on the final day, in a game which looked for most of the season as though it would decide fourth, but it was a dead rubber that finished 1-1.
It would prove to be pivotal in the history of Liverpool Football Club, as the following season they would go on to win Europe’s greatest club competition.
That amazing European adventure was not to be overseen by Houllier, however. The Frenchman’s six seasons in the Anfield hotseat came to an end immediately after the campaign. Rafa Benitez came in, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Meanwhile, Micky Adams’ Leicester side were relegated to the Championship, having lasted just one season back in the Premier League. It would be a decade until they were back.
Now managed by Nigel Pearson, they face Liverpool on Tuesday rooted to the foot of the table, having won just twice in their 13 league games, while Brendan Rodgers‘ Reds are currently in a disappointing 11th position. It’s a huge game for both.
What are your memories of the 2003/04 campaign? Let us know in the comments section.
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Liverpool face Leicester City on Tuesday evening, as the two sides face each other in the Premier League for the first time in a decade. We look back at that meeting, and how the Reds’ campaign panned out.
Back in March 2004 Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool side headed to the Walkers Stadium – now known as the King Power Stadium – to face Leicester City for the first time at their new ground.
The Reds were in the hunt for a vital Champions League place, tussling with Newcastle for the fourth and final spot, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all streets ahead in the top three. The Foxes, meanwhile, were on the verge of relegation.
When the two sides had done battle at Anfield earlier in the season, in September 2003, goals from Michael Owen and former Leicester hero Emile Heskey had inspired Houllier’s men to a 2-1 victory. Marcus Bent’s goal had been nothing more than a stoppage-time consolation.
The Game
Leicester City 0-0 Liverpool
Sunday 28th March 2004
Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Biscan, Traore, Cheyrou (Murphy 70), Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell, Heskey, Baros (Sinama Pongolle 85).
Leicester: Walker, Scimeca, Dabizas, Heath, Thatcher, Freund, Izzet, Nalis (Guppy 45), Ferdinand, Bent, Dickov.
Subs not used: Coyne, Benjamin, Canero, Gillespie.
This fixture was a relatively dull affair in truth, but there was always the feeling that Liverpool were in control of the match. They lacked firepower without injured star man Michael Owen though, who little did we know was coming to the end of his time on Merseyside.
Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann were both denied by Ian Walker, while Bruno Cheyrou hit the woodwork. Igor Biscan, also much-maligned at the time, headed just wide from a corner.
Leicester’s best chances came from two extremely experienced players, Paul Dickov and Les Ferdinand, but they couldn’t find a way past Jerzy Dudek. Their new ground didn’t have the same atmospheric, gritty feel that Filbert Street did; a ground where Liverpool were often tested down the years.
In the end both sides had to settle for a point, with a drab goalless draw the final outcome.
It wasn’t an ideal point for either team, but it did keep Liverpool in control of their destiny with regards to finishing in the top four.
What Happened Next?
Liverpool ended up clinching Champions League qualification, with Southampton’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle in their penultimate game gifting Houllier and his side fourth place. They met at Anfield on the final day, in a game which looked for most of the season as though it would decide fourth, but it was a dead rubber that finished 1-1.
It would prove to be pivotal in the history of Liverpool Football Club, as the following season they would go on to win Europe’s greatest club competition.
That amazing European adventure was not to be overseen by Houllier, however. The Frenchman’s six seasons in the Anfield hotseat came to an end immediately after the campaign. Rafa Benitez came in, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Meanwhile, Micky Adams’ Leicester side were relegated to the Championship, having lasted just one season back in the Premier League. It would be a decade until they were back.
Now managed by Nigel Pearson, they face Liverpool on Tuesday rooted to the foot of the table, having won just twice in their 13 league games, while Brendan Rodgers‘ Reds are currently in a disappointing 11th position. It’s a huge game for both.
What are your memories of the 2003/04 campaign? Let us know in the comments section.
.
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool head to Leicester City on Tuesday night looking to record back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season in their first fixture of a hectic month. Will Steven Gerrard get back into the side?
Liverpool successfully put an end to five games without tasting victory in all competitions thanks to Glen Johnson’s late winner on Saturday afternoon, bu Rodgers and his team have little time to rest with a trip to ‘The King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
The match in the Midlands will be the first of a hectic month for Liverpool – who play eight games and are already coming off the back of three fixtures in a week – and with matches coming thick and fast, a crucial period of the season awaits with a real chance for the team to build up some form and spring into life.
Momentum could prove key to battling through the congested fixture list and after an extremely testing period, it is important that the side continue to move forwards following Saturday’s positive result; backing it up with another against the Premier League’s bottom side who have won once at home all season.
With the game being the fourth in ten days for Liverpool, Rodgers will once again have to rotate his side in a bid to keep players as fresh as possible – something that will be prevalent before the turn of the year – and as expected, there will be some tough decisions to make for the Reds manager.
The Team
Rodgers finally showed that he was aware of Steven Gerrard’s inability to now play three full matches in a week as he rested the captain on Saturday, but the Liverpool boss now has an interesting dilemma as to whether to put him back into the starting XI.
The Reds recorded a much welcome clean sheet with a back four that very few would have predicted could keep one and also thanks in no small part to some important saves made by the much maligned Simon Mignolet, who received an ovation from the Kop after the final whistle.
Despite the improvement, there were still some largely unproductive performances from some of those who made up the defensive line, and the Liverpool boss should consider changes ahead of Tuesday in both of the full-back positions where Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno can come in.
In midfield, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen performed solidly in the skipper’s absence, but with the Welshman having featured heavily in recent games and the Brazilian playing back-to-back 90 minutes for the first time this season, changes could materialise with Gerrard and Emre Can both ready and waiting.
Liverpool’s attack looked far more dangerous in the second half last time out, with the pace and intricacy of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson supporting the impressive but exhausted Rickie Lambert, and alternatives are available to Rodgers in the form of Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Fabio Borini to provide rest for those that need it.
The Line Up
Line up options are aplenty for the Reds boss with a strong squad available at his disposal, and the quick turnaround between matches means he must make changes.
As seen throughout the season to date, Rodgers has preferred to line up with a 4-2-3-1 shape – something that has hindered the side at times – and with that in mind, this is how I expect the Liverpool manager to line up against the Premier League’s bottom side:
However, with Gerrard’s introduction against Stoke, Rodgers altered the shape of his side to a 4-3-3 formation and with his team going on to emerge victorious at the final whistle, he could be tempted to stick with the more suited set-up. If he does, Liverpool should look like this come kick off:
Putting an end to a miserable run of form with a hard fought win means now is the perfect time for Liverpool to put a hugely frustrating season to date behind them, and begin to move forwards with a new found positivity, starting against the Premier League newcomers.
It will be far from an easy fixture against Nigel Pearson’s struggling Foxes, but it’s certainly a match that The Reds must come out of with three points to show for ahead of what is another winnable fixture on Saturday at Anfield against Sunderland, as Rodgers and his side look to get their season back on track.
.
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool head to Leicester City on Tuesday night looking to record back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season in their first fixture of a hectic month. Will Steven Gerrard get back into the side?
Liverpool successfully put an end to five games without tasting victory in all competitions thanks to Glen Johnson’s late winner on Saturday afternoon, bu Rodgers and his team have little time to rest with a trip to ‘The King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
The match in the Midlands will be the first of a hectic month for Liverpool – who play eight games and are already coming off the back of three fixtures in a week – and with matches coming thick and fast, a crucial period of the season awaits with a real chance for the team to build up some form and spring into life.
Momentum could prove key to battling through the congested fixture list and after an extremely testing period, it is important that the side continue to move forwards following Saturday’s positive result; backing it up with another against the Premier League’s bottom side who have won once at home all season.
With the game being the fourth in ten days for Liverpool, Rodgers will once again have to rotate his side in a bid to keep players as fresh as possible – something that will be prevalent before the turn of the year – and as expected, there will be some tough decisions to make for the Reds manager.
The Team
Rodgers finally showed that he was aware of Steven Gerrard’s inability to now play three full matches in a week as he rested the captain on Saturday, but the Liverpool boss now has an interesting dilemma as to whether to put him back into the starting XI.
The Reds recorded a much welcome clean sheet with a back four that very few would have predicted could keep one and also thanks in no small part to some important saves made by the much maligned Simon Mignolet, who received an ovation from the Kop after the final whistle.
Despite the improvement, there were still some largely unproductive performances from some of those who made up the defensive line, and the Liverpool boss should consider changes ahead of Tuesday in both of the full-back positions where Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno can come in.
In midfield, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen performed solidly in the skipper’s absence, but with the Welshman having featured heavily in recent games and the Brazilian playing back-to-back 90 minutes for the first time this season, changes could materialise with Gerrard and Emre Can both ready and waiting.
Liverpool’s attack looked far more dangerous in the second half last time out, with the pace and intricacy of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson supporting the impressive but exhausted Rickie Lambert, and alternatives are available to Rodgers in the form of Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Fabio Borini to provide rest for those that need it.
The Line Up
Line up options are aplenty for the Reds boss with a strong squad available at his disposal, and the quick turnaround between matches means he must make changes.
As seen throughout the season to date, Rodgers has preferred to line up with a 4-2-3-1 shape – something that has hindered the side at times – and with that in mind, this is how I expect the Liverpool manager to line up against the Premier League’s bottom side:
However, with Gerrard’s introduction against Stoke, Rodgers altered the shape of his side to a 4-3-3 formation and with his team going on to emerge victorious at the final whistle, he could be tempted to stick with the more suited set-up. If he does, Liverpool should look like this come kick off:
Putting an end to a miserable run of form with a hard fought win means now is the perfect time for Liverpool to put a hugely frustrating season to date behind them, and begin to move forwards with a new found positivity, starting against the Premier League newcomers.
It will be far from an easy fixture against Nigel Pearson’s struggling Foxes, but it’s certainly a match that The Reds must come out of with three points to show for ahead of what is another winnable fixture on Saturday at Anfield against Sunderland, as Rodgers and his side look to get their season back on track.
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