Why always him? – Balotelli charged with violent conduct

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is facing a four match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association following an incident in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Tottenham.

A statement from the FA on Monday evening stated: “The FA has today charged Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in his side’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

“Balotelli was involved in an incident with Tottenham’s Scott Parker during Manchester City’s 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 22 January 2012.

“Balotelli has until 6pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012 to respond to the charge.”

The 21 year old played the hero and villain in the top of the table clash after coming on as a 65th minute replacement for Edin Dzeko.

Having already received a yellow card, Balotelli escaped further sanction after he appeared to stamp on Scott Parker’s head following a collision with the Spurs midfielder. The Italian international rubbed salt into Tottenhams wounds when he was brought down by Ledley King in the box and calmly slotted the ball home from the resultant penalty in the 94th minute to send city fans into a state of delirium.

The challenge on Parker went undetected by referee Howard Webb who appeared to be perfectly placed to make a judgement. Webb’s failure to take action drew discord from Spurs boss Harry Redknapp:

“You can’t get away with things like that on the football pitch, the referee should be seeing that,” Redknapp said after the game.

“I don’t like people kicking other people in the head on a football pitch. It is not something I understand. Why should he go and back-heel someone in the head when he is on the floor?”

Balotelli may choose to appeal against the charge but with a succession of former players and managers having already lambasted the striker for his crass challenge, it appears likely that his suspension could be extended were he to take such a course of action.

Assuming the former Inter striker accepts the charge, he will miss the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield as well as Premier League encounters with Everton, Aston Villa and Fulham.

Sundays misdemeanour is the latest in a long line of disciplinary issues involving the young enigma following his arrival from Inter Milan at the beginning of last season. Balotelli appeared intent on stretching relations with his new employers on joining the Citizens. Racking up £10,000 in parking fines, throwing darts at youth players and giving away casino winnings to tramps moved Mancini to claim he needed a psychologist to deal with him.

The one consolation for City is that Joleon Lescott will face no further action for appearing to lead with his forearm in a challenge on Younes Kaboul.

Posted by MarkG on January 25, 2012. Filed under FA Barclays Premiership, Man City, NewsNow, Tottenham. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.