Football
ESPN staff 9y

Liverpool's Mario Balotelli punished by FA for offensive Instagram post

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for one match and fined 25,000 pounds ($39,000) after admitting sending an offensive message on social media, the Football Association has confirmed.

Balotelli had shared an image on Instagram featuring the Nintendo character Mario that included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew."

The Italy international later deleted the post, describing it as an "unlucky moment," and added in follow-up posts on Twitter that his own adopted mother is Jewish.

However, he was charged by the FA and suspended for one match.

An FA statement read: "Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Thursday Dec. 18, 2014], Mario Balotelli has been fined 25,000 pounds, suspended for one match with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted breaching FA Rules in relation to social media.

"The charge was that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper, contrary to FA Rule E3(1). Furthermore, the posting was considered to be an 'Aggravated Breach' as defined in FA Rule E3(2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.

"Mr Balotelli has also been ordered to attend an education programme."

Balotelli confirmed soon after the ruling that he would not appeal, writing on Twitter: "Following the recent events related to my 'Super Mario' post, the FA decision has made clear that it was wrong. I am sorry that my teammates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalized for something that I did and now come to regret.

"It is my intention to comply with the decision of the FA and make sure it never happens again."

Liverpool said they were awaiting the full written verdict from the panel but did not rule out further action against the player by the club.

"The club acknowledges the decision reached by the independent panel and due consideration will be given to the written judgement once we receive it from the FA," a Liverpool spokesman said. "Any further action taken by ourselves in relation to this matter is between the club and player."

Balotelli had previously tweeted an apology for his actions: "I apologize if I've offended anyone. The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context may have had the opposite effect.

"Not all Mexicans have moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money. I used a cartoon done by someone else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I'm sorry."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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