Police later confirmed they were looking into the abuse that had come the Liverpool striker’s way, with a Merseyside Police statement saying: “We can confirm officers are looking into offensive comments made on Twitter about Mario Balotelli earlier today (Sunday).”
Asked if they were investigating formally, a force spokesman replied “yes, we are”, adding: “As far as I am aware there have been no complaints but we have been made aware of it by a number of press enquiries.”
Sunday saw Leicester come from 3-1 down to beat Manchester United, Liverpool’s arch-rivals, 5-3 in a stunning match at the King Power Stadium.
Italy forward Balotelli, whose first spell in English football was with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, responded to the remarkable result by tweeting “Man Utd…LOL (Laugh Out Loud)”.
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But the black forward, the son of immigrants from Ghana but fostered by the white, Italian Balotelli family in his formative years, saw his comment met by several racist messages.
One from an account called @CraigSainsbury which read: “Fuck you Mario you fucking n**ger. Go eat some bananas and get ebola you dirty monkey.”
The account subsequently appeared to have been closed.
Balotelli, a member of the Liverpool side that lost 3-1 to West Ham on Saturday, has been a victim of racist abuse in the past.
He was jeered by Italy supporters during a pre-World Cup training camp in May and was on the receiving end of numerous racial taunts during his time at Internazionale and, more recently, AC Milan.
Balotelli spoke about the abuse that had come his way in an interview with GQ magazine in July.
“They aren’t used to seeing people who are different, not white, who act not as rebels but normally,” he said.
“I think what the ignorant people don’t like is that people who are different are allowed to act that way.
“These stupid people, they get angry with me, they say horrible things, but I haven’t done anything different from other people.
“I have made mistakes, like everyone does, and I have always paid for my mistakes. I think that if I was white maybe some people would still find me irritating or annoying but it wouldn’t be the same. Absolutely not.
“Jealousy is a horrible thing, but when this jealousy is towards people who are different from the majority, and who maybe also have more than you, then it becomes anger, it becomes rage, and that’s the overt racism.”
The man keeps on giving, he’s got a weird charm about him. Pity about the usual racist shit. He’s right though, if he was white and saying or doing the same things he wouldn’t be subject to the same abuse
I do not agree with the racist abuse he got. It is a total disgrace. I do not agree with his comment on twitter. He should be more professional. He is a a rival football player and really should not post a comment like that.
I’m a Man U fan and this is beyond shameful. However Every club has nasty idiots like these in their fan base, the problem is they are also the loudest… It’s disgusting what was said to Mario and they should be dealt with by the law and also if they are ManU fans then ManU should put out an apology also. Aside to that, famous people need to be more careful when using twitter also… In fact I’ve always said sports people should not even be on twitter, a lot of sports people are too dumb and twitter is too open and unregulated for disaster not to strike!!
The @craigsainsbury account isn’t even an actual person, it’s a morbid parody of those ‘ITK’ accounts and is paired with @agentdidier who’s similar – both can be very shockingly racist it’s just that only now it’s been give wide scale attention
Just thought it’d be good to get some info that reporters probably wouldn’t know
Dylan, that was the first line, my comment was what these guys on twitter said, I had to use the same language to make my point, is that the people who do this quickly forget the same race/ethnicity/creed play on the teams they support….. I do not know what happened to the rest of the comment. I have asked for it to remove because clearly I look like a total pr$&k. I apologize strongly to anyone offended. I deserve anything that comes my way, but if the rest of the comment was there you would see what I was getting at.
I didn’t think you were a racist anyway mate. My comments have been removed for using the word p*ss so if yours isn’t then the moderation here is f*cked.
I did report my own comment, clearly it looks terrible. If ever there was a bad time for comment to get messed up, that was it! Thanks anyways. I feel terrible the way it turned out, and the fact they have left it hanging there…… It does not even make sense as it is.
No one should ever apologise for being a pool fan or a man u fan, but just like religion it shouldn’t be shoved in people’s faces nor should ” banter ” result in racist remarks.
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I love Balotelli
He logs onto Twitter
Posts 3 words
Logs off
Causes massive chaos
Doesn’t give a f*ck
The man keeps on giving, he’s got a weird charm about him. Pity about the usual racist shit. He’s right though, if he was white and saying or doing the same things he wouldn’t be subject to the same abuse
Dirt bags! Racism in this day and age should be punished with a hefty prison stint! Some ppl just take footy far too serious
United fans are such a great bunch of lads
I do not agree with the racist abuse he got. It is a total disgrace. I do not agree with his comment on twitter. He should be more professional. He is a a rival football player and really should not post a comment like that.
If I was a utd fan I would be disgusted by the racist comments, Mario may have tweeted but no need for the backlash….
Mario Balotelli is in no position to laugh at United. West Ham 3-1 Liverpool.
This is your Palace….
I’m a Man U fan and this is beyond shameful. However Every club has nasty idiots like these in their fan base, the problem is they are also the loudest… It’s disgusting what was said to Mario and they should be dealt with by the law and also if they are ManU fans then ManU should put out an apology also. Aside to that, famous people need to be more careful when using twitter also… In fact I’ve always said sports people should not even be on twitter, a lot of sports people are too dumb and twitter is too open and unregulated for disaster not to strike!!
The @craigsainsbury account isn’t even an actual person, it’s a morbid parody of those ‘ITK’ accounts and is paired with @agentdidier who’s similar – both can be very shockingly racist it’s just that only now it’s been give wide scale attention
Just thought it’d be good to get some info that reporters probably wouldn’t know
I would guess most of these guys are not in England and also well hidden. That’s why they are ‘brave’ enough to make the comments. Not real fans.
Do the offending tweeters feel the same way about the bl$&k ni$&er c$
Where is the rest of my comment?
Looks bad for you there Graham. Probably should post the rest there mate
Keyboard warrior here. Your a repulsive human being!
Dylan, that was the first line, my comment was what these guys on twitter said, I had to use the same language to make my point, is that the people who do this quickly forget the same race/ethnicity/creed play on the teams they support….. I do not know what happened to the rest of the comment. I have asked for it to remove because clearly I look like a total pr$&k. I apologize strongly to anyone offended. I deserve anything that comes my way, but if the rest of the comment was there you would see what I was getting at.
Eoin, I apologize….
I didn’t think you were a racist anyway mate. My comments have been removed for using the word p*ss so if yours isn’t then the moderation here is f*cked.
The score. Can Graham’s original comment be removed? It was clearly a mistake.
I did report my own comment, clearly it looks terrible. If ever there was a bad time for comment to get messed up, that was it! Thanks anyways. I feel terrible the way it turned out, and the fact they have left it hanging there…… It does not even make sense as it is.
Thanks Adrian.
We forgive you, Graham.
Good man Sean.
The slate is wiped clean Graham. Regular posters will know ur an honourable guy.
Pretty cr**** of the journal to leave it up. Making Graham.look bad. Do the right thing journal and delete it
I owe you guys a beer! Next time I am back in Ireland, will be in the Ball Alley in Lucan! You guys are real footie fans! Ynwa!!
Justice for Graham Kavanagh, true Arsenal legend if ever there was one to behold
The mighty Alan Sunderland! Best Sunderland ever!
I’d like an apology too please!
You should apologise for being a ‘pool fan first!
Can you leave my pint behind the bar in Courtneys. I’m to lazy to walk to the Ball Alley.
Apologies to you too Michael. I apologise for being a Pool fan, but christ, cannot be worse than being a Man U fan right now
Sure Brian…. Will pass by on the way to the chipper down by Kennys.
No one should ever apologise for being a pool fan or a man u fan, but just like religion it shouldn’t be shoved in people’s faces nor should ” banter ” result in racist remarks.