Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for one match and
fined 25,000 pounds ($39,000) after admitting sending an offensive
message on social media, the Football Association has confirmed.
Balotelli had shared an image on Instagram featuring the Nintendo character Mario that included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew."
The
Italy international later deleted the post, describing it as an
"unlucky moment," and added in follow-up posts on Twitter that his own
adopted mother is Jewish.
However, he was charged by the FA and suspended for one match.
An
FA statement read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission
hearing today [Thursday Dec. 18, 2014], Mario Balotelli has been fined
25,000 pounds, suspended for one match with immediate effect, subject to
any appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted
breaching FA Rules in relation to social media.
"The charge was
that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive
and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3(1).
Furthermore, the posting was considered to be an 'Aggravated Breach' as
defined in FA Rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic
origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or
belief.
"Mr Balotelli has also been ordered to attend an education programme."
Balotelli
confirmed soon after the ruling that he would not appeal, writing on
Twitter: "Following the recent events related to my 'Super Mario' post,
the FA decision has made clear that it was wrong. I am sorry that my
teammates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalized for
something that I did and now come to regret.
"It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again."
Liverpool said they were awaiting the full written verdict from the
panel but did not rule out further action against the player by the
club.
