Open letters have been written to Juventus fans to stop the insults, but Susy Campanale feels Mario Balotelli needs a talking to
Many open letters were written to the fans in a bid to stop them insulting Mario Balotelli, but I think it’s about time someone wrote an open letter to him. So, Mario, a word in your shell-like…
You have been subjected to some awful racial slurs that ought to have no place in football or in society, even one as backward when it comes to race relations as Italy. Supporters can jeer all they like and – let’s be perfectly honest here – there are a million different reasons to insult you that have nothing to do with the colour of your skin. The moment someone strays into that territory, they have automatically lost all credibility and become a mindless thug.
Right, now that’s out of the way, we can get to the basics. It’s a tense atmosphere and for weeks the entire Italian football world has rushed to your defence against these vicious verbal attacks, so you ought to win them over with your undoubted talent so the only remaining critics will be the bigots. Instead you take the biggest test of all, the Derby d’Italia surrounded by those ultras who have turned hating you into a sport in and of itself, and you act like a prize turnip.
Within 60 seconds of stepping on to the field, you’d clattered into a Juve player in an accidental collision, then visibly berated him for ‘diving’ when he was simply hurt. To top it all off, you then flail around acrobatically clutching your face when Felipe Melo lashed out an elbow that struck you meekly on the shoulder. That’s just embarrassing. Of all nights, of all people, you had to prove your detractors right with a display of unsportsmanlike behaviour and arrogance.
The Juventus fans held up a banner during the match that read: ‘Don’t kid yourself Balotelli, you’d annoy us even if you were white.’ It’s pretty difficult to disagree with them after this sorry performance. Racism must be stamped out of football, but so must play-acting, provocation of opponents and the kind of gamesmanship that has become your bread and butter.
This was the perfect opportunity to separate the bigots from the genuine lovers of fair play, but you’ve only united them now in seeing you as the villain. Shame on the racist chants and shame on you, Mario.
Hey Susy, usually I don't share at all your thoughts, but this time you nailed it... Congratulations for a masterpiece!
Francisco Natteri
Well said!
Saverio Colantonio
Yet again, spot on! I always agree with you, Susy.
Nicky
Balotelli once again demonstrated last night that he deserves to be jeered and it has nothing to do with racism. The boy is simply cocky, annoying and disrespectful. He reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo and his slice of jeering and whistling all over the stadiums in the Premier League.
Prodan Ionut-Laurentiu, Romania
I agree, as Balotelli is a great talent, but he cannot conduct himself with grace, on the field of play. Melo did not touch him his face, yet he was rolling around, clutching his face. This is play acting and bad sportsmanship, which I do not like to see in the game. I do not think that Balotelli can change his ways, and he will not be seen in the senior Italy shirt, not while Marcello Lippi is Italy manager, anyway.
Carlo Bene
Spoken from the heart, Susy. After reading your blog, I feel like something really has to be done. Either Inter straighten him out or he will eventually get into trouble with the Lega Calcio by doing something stupid. Even the Inter camp know they have to fix this kid's brain before they can teach him things about football. Where did they get this kid from in the first place - the streets? Even Giorgio Chiellini, who I know was brought-up in a tough world, doesn't act as crazy as Balotelli.
This kid needs a role model to follow - someone to emulate as a positive example. Until he gets his act straight and his brain's logic to work, his troubles will always overshadow his skill. He's just like Antonio Cassano having tantrums all year long.
Primo P. Manila, Philippines
I must agree with Susy. I'm not just saying this because I'm a huge Juve fan but it's the truth. There is no doubt that racism must be stamped out in football, but it's no secret that Balotelli is wayward, arrogant and callous.
Charles
This is unbelievable. So Juve fans actually bring a banner into the stadium saying YOU WOULD ANNOY US EVEN IF YOU WERE WHITE and you mention it as an aside in a blog that berates Mario for acting like a kid who faces extreme provocation when he goes out to play.
In a match where, according to the site’s own match report, he was not started because they were afraid it would trigger racist chanting? It's as good as saying '...but he provokes it!' in spite of your neatly-placed caveats.
Why is Mario's attitude constantly hogging the focus in any discussion about the reactions he faces? Is this how Italy always treats its bratty kids who are good enough to make it to the national team? No. It isn't.
The Tottis and Chiellinis - and even the Cassanos - of the world haven't confused people the way Mario does. Come on. Basic decency goes beyond acknowledging what is right, it's about doing what is right. Shame on you, Ms Campanale. And shame on you, Juve, for sending open letters to your hate-mongering fans when you should be locking them out of your matches.
Supriya, Mumbai, India
As an Inter fan of over 40 years I would defend our players to the end but unfortunately I have to agree with everything that Susy has written. Mario has the talent to become one of the greats but his continual bad behaviour and attitude on the pitch is fast becoming an embarrassment to the blue and black shirt.
Richard Davis
Balotelli is Italy's Adriano or I guess the new Cassano. Can you imagine old man Nesta trying to chase down Adriano and Balotelli? I can imagine it, but I am glad it will never happen.
Carmen
When someone tries to write something like your article, trying to look smart by starting with an unfelt and dishonest apology and immediately follow two lines after with a sorry statement such as this: “There are a million different reasons to insult you that have nothing to do with the colour of your skin.” I can only say your article is stupid!. Balotelli, whether you like him or not is RAW TALENT at its best!
Luis Enrique Camejo
