Manchester City's Mario Balotelli was taken off in the first half against LA Galaxy for an apparent lack of respect towards his opponents.
The 20-year-old Italian striker was through on goal but instead of shooting, opted to drag the ball back before backheeling it wide of the goal.
City boss Roberto Mancini reacted furiously by replacing Balotelli and the pair argued as he left the pitch.
Balotelli earlier scored from the spot as the friendly finished 1-1.
City earned their third victory on their pre-season tour of the United States, winning the game 7-6 on penalties, but the match was overshadowed by Balotelli's actions which prompted jeers from the LA Galaxy crowd at the Home Depot Center.
It is not the first time that former Inter forward Balotelli has been in trouble with Mancini, who was also his boss at the Serie A club.
The striker inflamed several Manchester United players after he taunted the crowd following City's FA Cup semi-final win over their Manchester rivals last April.
And he was also involved in a prank where he threw a dart at a City youth team player last March.
Balotelli joined City for £24m from Inter last August, but he had an interrupted season through injury and suspension.
He scored 10 goals in 28 appearances but received 11 yellow cards and was sent off twice.
0 comments:
Post a Comment