Balotelli has, however, submitted mitigation to the FA.
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli could face either a ban or a hefty fine from the FA after the Daily Star reported that he has accepted a charge for posting an offensive image to social media, although the Italian has also submitted mitigation to the FA that could see any punishment minimised if his reasoning is accepted by the governing body.
SEE MORE:
Premier League predictions for the weekend
Courtois ruled out of Hull game
A three person committee will now assess the written mitigation submitted by Balotelli and decide what, if any, punishment should await the former Manchester City and AC Milan forward for his breach of rule E3[1] – with no set punishment for social media offences being written in to the FA rulebook.
Balotelli found himself in hot water after posing an image of gameshow character Super Mario to Instagram that made numerous references, which could be construed as offensive, to both race and religion, leading to the Italian being charged some time afterwards.
Still without a Premier League goal since Liverpool paid £16 million to bring him to the club from Serie A giants Milan in the summer, Balotelli could return from an injury that plagued him during November on Sunday as the Reds face bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.