Parents ‘black up’ baby to look like Balotelli

Disbelief ... chocolate was smeared on the baby and a sponge stuck

SICK parents have been blasted after they “blacked up” their baby – to look like former Manchester City star Mario Balotelli.

Chocolate is seen smeared over the tot’s face while a washing-up sponge is stuck onto his head to mimic the striker's mohawk.

The infant even sports the footballer's slogan “Why Always Me?” on his baby-gro.

Blond ... sponge used to ape Balotelli's blond mohawk

A picture of the baby boy sparked outrage after being posted on the internet and retweeted thousands of times.

Parenting expert Sue Atkins said: “Just looking at this picture makes me very uncomfortable, especially the fact the child is blacked up. I don't like it at all.”

One Twitter user added: “Parents tweeted ghastly picture of baby dressed as Mario Balotelli, this must be child abuse.”

Anger ... Balotelli donning his 'Why Always Me?' slogan

Another, Matt Bishop, wrote: “Jesus wept, who does this to their child!?!?!?!?”
Jim C posted: “You thought you'd seen it all. Dear me.”

Balotelli, from Italy, left Manchester City to play for AC Milan earlier this year after helping the club to win its first title in 44 years.

Last month a 10-year-old Leeds United fan caused outrage after he blacked up to pose with his hero El Hadji Diouf.