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FA contact Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli over controversial Instagram post FA contacts Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli over controversial Instagram post
(35 minutes later)
The Football Association has asked Mario Balotelli for his observations over an image the Liverpool striker posted on his Instagram account that prompted accusations of racism and antisemitism. Mario Balotelli has been contacted by the Football Association for his observations regarding the Super Mario image he posted on Instagram and has until 6pm on Friday to respond.
On Monday, the Italy international re-posted an image of the Nintendo character Super Mario on his social media feed that contained the words “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a jew”. The FA is considering whether to charge Balotelli for bringing the game into disrepute so will take into account the Italian’s response to the governing body’s request, and the apology he issued earlier on Tuesday.
A spokesman for the FA confirmed on Tuesday that they have contacted Balotelli to ask for his observations and he has until 6pm on Friday to respond. The Liverpool striker stated he was sorry for the post that has caused him to be accused of antisemitism and racism. On Twitter he wrote: “I apologize if I’ve offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour,” he wrote on Twitter. “I now understand that out of context [it] 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 had Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.”
The 24-year-old again took to social media on Tuesday to explain his actions, stating that it had not been his intention to cause offence. On Monday Balotelli republished the image of Super Mario – a Nintendo computer game character with whom he shares a nickname – that had the legend: “Don’t be racist. Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican”.
“I apologize if I’ve offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour,” he wrote on Twitter. “I now understand that out of context [it] 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 had Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.” Balotelli’s apology was a softening of tone after his initial reaction to criticism. “My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please,” he wrote on Monday in reference to his foster mother, Silvia.
Balotelli was widely criticised for the image, which he deleted on Instagram, and had already addressed claims that his message was antisemitic. “My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please,” he wrote on Monday in reference to his foster mother, Silvia.
Balotelli on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/VAcSxgmBWLBalotelli on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/VAcSxgmBWL
Meanwhile, Jewish leaders have condemned Balotelli’s actions and urged him to “be more careful”. One Jewish leader has condemned Balotelli actions and impressed upon him the need to “be more careful”.
“It is incredibly offensive. We know it’s patently untrue and it’s reinforcing a stereotype,” Jonny Wineberg, vice-president of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, told the Manchester Evening News. “It is incredibly offensive. We know it’s patently untrue and it’s reinforcing a stereotype,” Jonny Wineberg, vice-president of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, told the Manchester Evening News. “Comments like that have no place from anybody but he will be aware that someone like him, in the public eye, will be paid attention to. He should be more careful.”
“Comments like that have no place from anybody but he will be aware that someone like him, in the public eye, will be paid attention to. He should be more careful.” Balotelli is not available for Liverpool’s trip to Leicester City on Tuesday evening because of a groin injury.
Queens Park Rangers’ Rio Ferdinand, then at Manchester United, was fined £45,000 and found guilty of improper conduct in 2012 for a tweet that characterised Ashley Cole as a “choc-ice”.
The former Manchester City striker will miss Liverpool’s visit to Leicester City on Tuesday because of a groin injury.
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