AFP\/File Paul EllisLiverpool's Italian striker Mario 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\" <\/p>\n
London (AFP) - 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. <\/p>\n
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\". <\/p>\n
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.\" <\/p>\n
The FA announced in a statement: \"Mario Balotelli has been charged by the FA in relation to a recent posting on social media.\" <\/p>\n
\"It is alleged the Liverpool player breached FA rule E3[1] in that his posting was abusive and\/or insulting and\/or improper. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
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Balotelli charged over 'racist' post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AFP\/File Paul EllisLiverpool's Italian striker Mario 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\" London (AFP) - 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. Continue reading