Balotelli’s future in doubt after Mancini clash

MANCHESTER - Agence France-Presse

AP Photo

Mario Balotelli’s future at Manchester City was cast into doubt once again yesterday after photographs emerged showing him in an apparent training bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini.

Media reports claimed that Mancini lost his temper with his Italian compatriot after Balotelli made a reckless challenge on teammate Scott Sinclair at the club’s Carrington training base on the edge of Manchester.

The pictures, published widely in the British media, show Mancini gripping Balotelli’s orange bib in an apparent rage, before the two men are separated by members of City’s coaching staff.

An eye-witness, quoted in local Manchester Evening News, said: “Mancini ran at him, he was furious. He grabbed hold of him and tried and throw him on the floor. Mario was too strong and he couldn’t get him down. All the coaches ran in to separate them but Mancini was having none of it. He kept trying to break free and have a go at him again.”

The Italy striker, 22, has been a recurrent source of controversy ever since arriving in Manchester from Inter Milan in 2010.

He has twice been dropped from City’s match-day squad this season and Mancini has repeatedly warned him that he is in danger of wasting his talent.

Last month, Balotelli dropped legal action against City after taking the club to a Premier League tribunal in an attempt to overturn a fine of two weeks’ wages over his poor disciplinary record.

Mancini also chastised him after a sloppy performance in City’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United in last month’s Manchester derby.