Italy coach Prandelli: Balotelli did not breach my ethics code

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has said that Mario Balotelli's Euro 2012 place is not under threat because of the forward's sending off against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Manchester City striker saw red late in his side's 1-0 defeat for a foul on Bacary Sagna after escaping a similar punishment early on following a hard tackle on Alex Song.

In February, Prandelli admitted that the controversial forward could be left out of his plans for the competition in Poland and Ukraine because of his temperament, but the 54-year-old played down the former Inter star's actions in Sunday's match.

"I saw his sending off, but this time it was for a foul that was part of the game," he is quoted by Eurosport as saying.

"I do not think the code of ethics can be applied in this particular situation.

"I will calmly evaluate his position as far as the squad for Euro 2012 is concerned, but I repeat, his dismissal was for a foul that was part of the game."

After the match, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini stated that Balotelli would not play for the club again this season and admitted that the 21-year-old could be sold in the summer.

Inter technical director Marco Branca conceded last week that the club will consider reacquiring Balotelli, who left San Siro for the Premier League club in 2010.