Mario Balotelli, the former Italy international, has revealed he was subjected to racial abuse during a football match in the United Arab Emirates. The 35-year-old, who previously played for Manchester City and Liverpool, said he was "racially abused multiple times" while playing for Emirati second-tier side Al-Ittifaq against Dubai City on Wednesday.
Writing on Instagram after the 2-0 defeat, Balotelli recounted the slurs: "I was repeatedly told: 'Uh uh uh, you go eat banana.' There is absolutely no place for racism in football, or in society." He stressed that "this kind of behaviour cannot be normalised, excused, or ignored" and said he was speaking out for every player who has been subjected to such abuse.
Balotelli, who joined Al-Ittifaq last month, added: "I've always condemned all acts of racism, but I didn't expect it here. I hope serious measures are taken to prevent this from happening again." Neither Al-Ittifaq nor Dubai City have yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
