On Feb. 12, Reuters reported that former Italy striker Mario Balotelli said he was subjected to racist abuse during a match in the United Arab Emirates. The 35-year-old forward, who recently signed for Emirati second-division club Al-Ittifaq after leaving Genoa, alleged the incident occurred in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Dubai City at Hatta.
Balotelli, whose career has included spells at Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan and Inter Milan, wrote on Instagram that he was taunted several times with racist chants, including being told to “go eat banana.” He stressed that racism has no place in football or in society and insisted such conduct must not be normalised or ignored. He said he was speaking out to raise awareness for all players who have endured similar abuse.
Neither Al-Ittifaq nor Dubai City immediately commented. Balotelli, long outspoken about racism, said he had not anticipated facing such behaviour in the UAE and called for firm action.
