FA ask Liverpool star Mario Balotelli to explain social media message

MARIO BALOTELLI has been asked by the FA to explain himself following his social media race-row message.

The Liverpool striker yesterday apologised for using his Instagram account to post a picture of video game character Super Mario that included the words 'Jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew'.

The Italian international now has until 6pm on Friday to respond to the FA, who will then decide whether or not to charge him.

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Balotelli yesterday said sorry to anybody that was upset by the picture he posted on Monday night which also said: 'Don't be a racist. Be like Mario. He's an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican'.

"I apologise if I've offended anyone," he wrote on Twitter.

"The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context may have the opposite effect.

"Not all Mexicans have moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.

"I used a cartoon done by someone else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I'm sorry."

The minimum FA ban for a race-related offence is five matches.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was recently charged by the FA for remarks in an interview that included a comment that, "Jews do chase money".