Balotelli later deleted the controversial post.
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could face an FA investigation over his social media conduct after making a post on his account earlier today that could be interpreted as being both racist and anti-semitic, report the Telegraph, with the injured Italian later deleting the controversial upload.
SEE MORE:
Mourinho financial fair play – Chelsea boss not happy
Puskas award finalists announced
Ballon d’Or shortlist cut down to three
Balotelli uploaded a picture with the caption “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a jew”, in reference to himself, but deleted the post after receiving a barrage of comments criticising him for the references to both race and religion within the post.
The controversy comes just days after Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan found himself at the centre of an FA investigation and media storm after making anti-semitic and racist comments during and interview with the Guardian in which he sought to defend the club’s appointment of controversial former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay as the club’s replacement for sacked German boss Uwe Rosler.
There is a precedent for the FA intervening on potentially offensive posts on social media, with centre back Rio Ferdinand, then of Manchester United, fined £45,000 for a post in which he described Ashley Cole as a “choc ice”, which the FA took to be “improper” and as having made a reference to “race”.
Balotelli later took to Twitter to defend his post:
( my Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please)
— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) December 1, 2014