Football: Balotelli overlooked by Italy

ROME: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was dropped from the Italy squad for tomorrow’s friendly international against the US in Genoa for breaking coach Cesare Prandelli’s ethical code. Balotelli scored in City’s 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, but had previously been suspended for four matches after a stamp on Tottenham Hotspur’s Scott Parker in January. “Balotelli seems a little agitated to me,” said Prandelli. “When I say we have to reach the European Championship prepared, I mean I don’t want to see players who, at the first sign of difficulty, commit reaction fouls and get sent off, leaving teammates to struggle with 10 men.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.