Mario Balotelli’s eccentricity is what has defined the early stages of his short yet extensively scrutinised career. He is a character, something football needs, but a character who has had an internal battle with his personality clashing with his ability to do the business on the pitch.
Balotelli pleading guilty for a “racist and anti Semitic social media post” is certainly one of the lowest points in his career. It’s entirely inexcusable, portrays a much unwanted message and only sets out to worsen what has been an underwhelming start to life back in England. The fact he hasn’t tried to escape the charge now is perhaps representative of the fact he himself accepts wrong, which is something of a relief.
However, he did try to justify the post as supporting “anti-racism,” such claims show naivety even if he believes there is some truth behind them. The FA stand, rightly, firmly against racism and Balotelli clearly broke the rules on this occasion, it’s a shame this wasn’t just accepted straight away.\
It’s also a shame that after just a few months in England the news isn’t about his talent as a footballer (which does exist). Unfortunately, it’s intrinsically part of Balotelli’s character to produce the unexpected – for bad or good. Rodgers knew the risk when signing him, however on the field he has looked calm, despite a bad run of form. If he couldn’t get the goals, keeping his head was something of a victory in it’s own right. Liverpool fans were (and still are on the whole), fully supporting him, it’s made all the more difficult when he acts like this off the pitch.
Balotelli’s verdict is yet to be given and whatever he receives he has to deal with. A fine can be dealt with easily, a suspension would perhaps be more hurtful for a player who will be desperate to seek redemption.
The FA may be lenient due to the fact he was quick to apologise and admitted wrong. It’s important the decision is consistent with their stance against incidents of this nature. Yes, acceptance and context of the post itself are important, but this doesn’t mean such acts make players immune to avoiding punishments. Something which Balotelli and Liverpool will have to accept on the announcement of his punishment.
The Italian still has a quality somewhat unrelated to football, he is likeable. “Is” may become “was” all too quickly, people have given him chances and as he undergoes his second chance in England patience will wear thin all too soon if this isn’t an isolated incident. He has had more second chances than most, perhaps because of his like ability, it’s important he doesn’t continually test his luck at this stage in his career.
Liverpool needed a player who could replace Luis Suarez, Balotelli isn’t at that calibre, but what’s to say he couldn’t be? If he gets his head down, realises that Liverpool offers him a chance and behaves off the field his potential is clear.
At 24, in modern football terms, he is approaching the peak of his football career. It’s up to him how it goes, if he wants to be remembered for more than his bad behaviour he can be. The boyish charm only lasts so long, it’s time to move on from this image. It’s time for Balotelli to be talked about for purely footballing reasons. Most importantly, it’s time for him to realise this for himself.
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