LONDON: Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was charged by the Football Association on Friday for re-posting a message on Instagram that contained racist and anti-Semitic references.

Balotelli appeared to endorse an image of computer game character Super Mario on the social media website which included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew". The post was titled "Don't be a racist" and continued: "Be like Mario. He's an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican."

The FA announced in a statement: "Mario Balotelli has been charged by the FA in relation to a recent posting on social media. It is alleged the Liverpool player breached FA rule E3 (1) in that his posting was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper. It is further alleged that this is an 'aggravated breach' as defined by FA rule E3 (2) as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief."

Balotelli deleted the post following criticism from other social media users, but after the FA confirmed it was looking into the matter, he wrote on Twitter: "I apologise if I've offended anyone.

"The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context (it) may have 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."

Balotelli, who has been a victim of racism throughout his career, initially defended himself against accusations of anti-Semitism, tweeting: "My Mom is jewish so all of u shut up please." The 24-year-old, born in Italy to Ghanaian parents and then adopted by an Italian family, also described his decision to repost the image as "my unlucky moment".

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Football: Balotelli charged over 'racist' post