Top Stories

Tuesday Kickoff: Balotelli apologizes for social media gaffe; Fans upset over proposed Barcelona jersey; and more

MarioBalitelliLiverpool1-HullCity2014EPL (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Mario Balotelli is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The Italian forward posted a photo of the character Super Mario with texts that contained racial references on his instagram account, before deleting the post after receiving plenty of backlash from fans. The FA are now investigating the case and could charge the Liverpool forward with disciplinary action, which could lead to a fine and/or a ban.

Balotelli apologized on his Twitter account on Tuesday, stating that he didn’t intend to offend anyone and that he now understands that out of context the post’s text contained racial material.

It’s the latest blow for Balotelli, who has struggled mightily on the field for both club and country since making his move back to England this summer. Balotelli has only played in nine English Premier League games this season, failing to score a goal. He has also missed time due to a groin strain.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Tuesday:

BARCELONA FANS UPSET WITH NEW KIT DESIGN

A possible design of next season’s FC Barcelona uniforms has upset many fans of the club and caused a lot of controversy.

Diario Sport, a Barcelona-based newspaper, has released an image of a possible design, which includes Barcelona’s famous stripes being turned sideways into hoops on their legendary uniform. Sport claims that president Josep Maria Bartomeu has approved the uniform design but other members of the team’s board of directors didn’t know about the jersey proposal.

Fans have hit back on social media decrying the uniform and asking the club to keep the vertical stripes on the jersey for next season.

MAN UNITED CONSIDER BID FOR GODIN

Louis Van Gaal has identified a target to improve Manchester United’s defensive core.

Veteran Atletico Madrid centerback Diego Godin is linked with a January move to Man United, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. The report states that Godin has a release clause of €36 million, a number that Man United can afford to pay for the Uruguayan.

Man United have lost a myriad of defenders to injury this season, including centerbacks Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, and wing backs Marco Rojo, Rafael, and Luke Shaw. The report states that Man United are also keeping an eye on Aston Villa centerback Ron Vlaar.

QUICK KICKS

Atletico Madrid have kicked out Atletico Frente, one of their club’s ultra groups, after fights between Atletico and Deportivo ultras left one fan dead. (REPORT)

Brazilian forward Hulk has claimed that a referee during a Russian Premier League match last Saturday racially abused the FC Zenit player. (REPORT)

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski says he plans to finish his career at his boyhood club, FC Köln. (REPORT)

Marseille’s top forward Andre-Pierre Gignac is planning to leave the club at the end of the season. (REPORT)

Algerian midfielder Yacine Brahimi has been awarded the BBC African Player of the Year. (REPORT)

——————–

What do you think of these reports? Do you see Balotelli leaving Liverpool in January? What do you think of Barcelona’s possible jersey designs? Do you see Man United spending in January to sign Godin?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Man! Balotelli can’t even score a goal in the Prem. That guy is terrible. Let’s all just admit that he isn’t that good. #StartAJ&Boyd

    Reply
  2. They point of the Balotelli post was a light hearted stereotypical analysis of Super Mario’s characteristics. I thought it was funny.

    Reply
    • Because it makes fun of Jews ?
      You do see how a Jew could be offended, no ?

      It is lighthearted and I do have Black and Jewish friends that joke around like that all the time, but it really is something he shouldn’t be tweeting publicly. When you do it among friends and are making fun of others that believe that sort of garbage, it is completely different.

      Reply
      • Balotelli proves time and time again he has the mentality and intelligence of a 13 year-old.

        Folks, when you tweet something controversial, there is a very good chance it will come back to bite you in the butt. Be smart.

      • When Mario goes back to Italy, someone better put a social media clause in his contract and just have a PR manager run it.

        Oh wait, Italy doesn’t give a crap about racism. That’s right.

Leave a Comment