Mario Balotelli to learn Arsenal fate after inflammatory social media post

Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2014 by Express.co.uk

MARIO BALOTELLI will discover tomorrow whether he can face Arsenal at the weekend as an independent commission meets to decide if the Liverpool striker should be banned for an inflammatory post on social media.

Mario Balotelli to learn Arsenal fate after inflammatory social media post
Mario Balotelli has not requested a personal hearing over the social media post

The forward has admitted an aggravated breach of the FA's rulebook after he put a picture of Super Mario on his Instagram page which also contained ant-Semitic language.

Balotelli has not requested a personal hearing, but has submitted mitigating evidence to the commission who have the power to suspend the Italy international, fine him or warn him as to his future conduct.

Balotelli made his comeback following six matches on the sidelines with a groin injury as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday, but Rodgers indicated yesterday he may have aggravated the problem and could miss tonight's cup tie.

When the furore erupted two weeks ago, Balotelli immediately deleted the post which contained the words "jumps like a black man and grab coins like a Jew" and apologised. He thought it was an ironic attack on racism.