Mario's Agent Speaks Out

Mario Balotelli's agent has revealed that he would be prepared to take the striker away from Manchester City if he thought he was being persecuted against.

Ballotelli is facing a four-match ban after being hit with a Football Association charge of violent conduct following an apparent stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker in Sunday's 3-2 win.

And the Italian's agent, Mino Raiola, feels that there is a conspiracy against the forward.

He told Italian radio station Radio Radio: "Mario can't be banned for four games.

"He wasn't balanced and there was also a push from Modric.

Something strange

"It is not an intentional foul because Mario doesn't want to hurt anyone, he didn't see Parker, that's all.

"I want to be balanced but I'm worried because when English players are involved in more serious things, nothing happens, whereas when foreigners are involved, such as Balotelli or Kompany, they were treated harder.

"If I find that there is something strange against Balotelli, my duty is to protect and then take him away.

"In this case I would speak with City, I'd ask them Balotelli's price and would look for the best team for him, as there are only six or seven teams he can play for.

"I talked to Mario who said he is happy to stay in England, but he does not understand certain things and they sadden him."

Banned for life

Raiola also launched a scathing attack on referee Howard Webb, accusing him of lying to protect his own reputation.

He added: "The referee saw everything, because he spoke to Mario after the action.

"So in my opinion, this referee must be banned for life because he didn't tell the truth.

"The TV images show that he is really close to the action, how can he say he didn't see it?

"What was he doing? He says he didn't see it, only to defend himself."

well, i suppose his agent can get away with the attack on howard webb.

he does have a point.

Makes a few decent points to be fair.

He's not said anything that we've not thought ourselves, really. I do happen to think the FA treat foreign players a bit more harshly than the Brits and that was made completely clear by the differences in the way Balotelli and Lescott were treated in the same match. Lescott could've received a 3 match ban for a challenge that the ref genuinely didn't see. Balotelli gets a 4 match ban for a challenge the ref DID see and which, under the FA rules, means no further punishment. Which means the ref has lied to the FA in order that this punishment should stick.

I don't think he can argue his player didn't do it though. I cringed listening to Lee Dixon try to defend him on MOTD as well. He did it, end of story. But it does seem odd that the ref went from waving it on to not seeing it at all.

assuming that it was accidental, had the roles been reversed and it was Parker that stood on Mario do you think the FA would now be charging Parker wih violent conduct?

I don't think so, this has only happend because it was Mario and because honest harry kept banging on about it

And because Webb obviously wants to protect whatever reputation he thinks he has.

platty was right when he said that an appeal would be futile.

we never appealed vinnie's red card and he is infinitely more important to us that balo.