Sweden Provoked Balotelli Sending Off – Italy U21 Delegate

Jun 20, 2009 2:32:35 PM

Gabriele Gravina, Italy’s chief delegate at the European Under-21 Championships, felt there was an unsporting plot to send the fiery forward for an early bath...

Despite the vital victory over Sweden yesterday, there was a bitter taste in the Azzurri camp, as Mario Balotelli prepares for a one match ban following his sending off against the host nation.

Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Gabriele Gravina expressed the feelings of the Italian federation, as they remained firm on their stance towards the Inter forward.

“We are undoubtedly critical of the player who should have tried harder to control himself. However, it must be underlined how many fouls he received,” said Gravina.

Should the striker receive a lengthier ban, the federation have expressed their plans to back the player, who they feel was provoked into his sending off.

“The day before the game, Wernbloom had declared to the press that he was aware of Balotelli’s temperament. He had been booked just prior to the sending off for a nasty challenge on Balotelli, and we will present this evidence, should the boy receive a heavy punishment.”

Despite the words of reassurance from the Italian federation, it seems Balotelli still has a lot to learn if he is to control his very short fuse.

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point