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‘Shame On You’- Balotelli Condemns Hellas Verona Fans For Racism

‘Shame On You’- Balotelli Condemns Hellas Verona Fans For Racism

Brescia striker Mario Balotelli has lashed out at Hellas Verona fans who racially abused him in Sunday’s Serie A game at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool forward angrily kicked a ball high into the stands in the 54th minute to express his frustration at racist chants from the home fans.

Balotelli was then persuaded to stay on to the pitch by teammates and Verona players after threatening to walk off during the abhorrent behavior from the stands.

The referee halted the game and ordered a warning to be read out over the stadium's public address system.

The 29-year-old went on to score a wonderful goal in the dying embers of the game as Brescia suffered a 2-1 loss.

There have also been cases of racist chants aimed at various players including Romelu Lukaku, Franck Kessie and Kalidou Koulibaly in Serie A this season.

After the game, Hellas Verona manager Ivan Juric admitted they was no incident of racism aimed at the former Inter Milan striker.

"I'm not afraid to say it: today, there was nothing, no racist booing,” Juric told reporters.

Verona's chairman Maurizio Setti also insisted that he did not hear any racist abuse during the game.

"I confirm that we have heard nothing," Setti said. "Verona fans are passionate but they're not racists.

"When there are cases of racism we are the first to condemn them but it is wrong to generalize, speaking of racist chants and fans. Maybe two or three people among 20,000 fans might have said something.

Balotelli took to his Instagram account to thank the players who supported and embraced him after the incident.

Balotelli wrote: "Thanks to all the colleagues on and off the field for the solidarity expressed toward me and all of the messages received from fans.”

“A heartfelt thanks. You've shown yourself to be real men, not like those who deny the evidence."

He added: "To the 'people' in this end who made the monkey noises: shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you in front of your children, wives, parents, relatives, friends and acquaintances…shame."

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