Liverpool

Mario Balotelli charged by Football Association for social media post

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 December 2014

Liverpool's Mario Balotelli is charged by the Football Association in relation to an image posted on social media earlier this week.

Liverpool's Mario Balotelli has been charged by the Football Association in relation to a recent image that he posted on social media.

Earlier this week, Balotelli posted an image on Instagram which included language that could be deemed as anti-Semitic before swiftly removing the post and apologising for any offence that he may have caused.

However, after the FA contacted the Italian forward to explain the incident, they have made the decision to charge the 24-year-old with two offences.

A statement read: "Mario Balotelli has been charged by The FA in relation to a recent posting on social media.

"It is alleged the Liverpool player breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his posting was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.

"It is further alleged that this is an 'aggravated breach' as defined by FA Rule E3[2] as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.

"The player has until 6pm on 15 December 2014 to respond to the charge."

Balotelli, who has scored just twice for Liverpool since signing for the Merseyside outfit in the summer, has missed his side's recent matches through injury.