Italy and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been formally charged by the Football Association for an anti-Semitic Instagram post.
The forward was lambasted by the media and fans after posting the meme about Nintendo character Super Mario.
It covered various different ethnic jokes based around the character: “Don’t be racist! Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican… jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a jew.”
Italy and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been formally charged by the Football Association for an anti-Semitic Instagram post.
The forward was lambasted by the media and fans after posting the meme about Nintendo character Super Mario.
It covered various different ethnic jokes based around the character: “Don’t be racist! Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican… jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a jew.”
The 24-year-old deleted the post quickly and pointed out his adopted mother is Jewish, but today was formally charged by the Football Association.
“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 does not seem likely to plead guilty, so a regulatory commission will meet within 10 days of his response.
“We acknowledge the FA’s decision and the player will work through the process to answer the charge,” said a Liverpool spokesperson. “While that process is on-going the club will not be making any further comment.”