Balotelli (Merged)

[andrewmswift]

Re: Is Balotelli being targeted because of racism?

In ways yes because even if you listen to the Sky commentary after the game they spent the entire time discussing Mario and had the nerve to say "he is useless to any team he plays for." The hatred for him is based on the fear of "the big black guy". He does what he wants he is supremely talented and does not apologise for it.

For the first time in my life I heard a paid pundit say he hates a player. Jamie Redknapp said "I hate Mario Balotelli ." Have you ever heard that before?. I mean why hate a 20 year old who you have never met?. What is it about him that winds people up the wrong way so much. Its not like anything he has done is so bad he actually does not deserve half the flack but yes he is black and it is how it is. As a fellow big, tall black guy who is told every day that I am intimidating just because I am speaking I understand.

If Mario was Henry Crompton from Derby he would be hailed as one of the best footballers to ever be born in this country.

great post.

agreed. In Italy managers (including his own) and commentators and pundits would always claim — after frequent racial abuse — he brings it upon himself, easy to target, etc. Just because Italian racism is more overt doesn't mean it doesn't exist subconsciously and influences attitudes and opinions toward him in Britain.

The things Rooney does on the pitch have been and still are way worse. Compare the punishment for Balo's second yellow "elbow" and Rooney's assault on McCarthy.

Balotelli is nowhere near a "dirty" player. But if he responds after being kicked all game and given nothing by the official with dissent suddenly it makes him angry and volatile?

This sort of soft racism exists when people talk about other black players, but Balotelli is targeted especially.

 

[123abcd]

Form is temporary.
Class is permanent.

 

[tommellor89]

Really glad other people think that Balo could be the victim of racism, subconscious or not.
I thought it as soon as he got sent off but didn't bring it up because I thought it might sound patronizing.

He does annoy people but he's young, rich, talented and obviously doesn't give a f**k what anyone thinks of him. *shrug*

 

[dom]

Ex ref Dermot Gallagher was just on skysports news talking about the balotelli incident. i missed it, did anyone catch what he said ?

Anybody who watches the incident again would change their view on which player should have got a yellow... and it wasn't balo!

Watch the liverpool players elbow move up into balo.....

Quite a few neutrals at work have said as much and that Balo got carded cos he's Balo

 

[Robbiejd]

If you already have a (deserved) reputation and - unless you are completely fuckin' stupid - know that ref's are looking out for you, then you go on to the pitch with 'look at me' hair, attracting even more attention to yourself, then do 2 stupid fouls - the first completely unnecessary - at Anfield of all places - giving the ref the opportunity to give you 2 yellow cards, you just have to take it on the chin and fuck off back down the tunnel.
It doesn't matter that the 2nd one was harsh - that many a player wouldn't have got a yellow, and may not even have had a foul given against them; the fact is that this is how it's going to be for Mario until he stops everything which makes him such a maverick. Until then, he will continue to be an occasional liability. Some would say a complete liability. Can a top team be a top team with someone like that in the squad?
Moan about Atkinson as much as you want but Mario played right into the opposition's hands, and made it too, too easy for Atkinson to keep the home team and fans happy. We can't complain about the sending off imho - it was to be expected after that first stupid yellow. I wonder if Mario will ever learn.

Chill out and sing for mario