Premier
League Football Association, is currently investigating Mario Balotelli alleged racial post which the
footballer posted on his Instagram which have prompted accusations of racism
and antisemitism.
The
Liverpool striker reposted 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”.
Balotelli
received widespread criticism for the image, which he deleted on Instagram, and
took to Twitter to deny making an offensive reference to Judaism. “My Mom is
jewish so all of u shut up please,” wrote the Italy international in reference
to his foster mother, Silvia.
The
image of Super Mario is headed “Don’t be racist” and goes on to state: “Be like
Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English
and looks like a Mexican”, before the reference that has landed the 24-year-old
in trouble.
Balotelli
described reposting the image of Super Mario, with whom he shares a nickname,
as “my unlucky moment” in another tweet but his defence may not prevent an FA
charge.
A spokesperson
for the governing body has confirmed it is looking into the matter and the
organisation can take action where it believes an individual has “bought the
game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic
origin and/or colour and/or race”.
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”.
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