London – Mario Balotelli and Manchester City face each other at a Premier League tribunal this week after the champions tried to fine their errant forward £340,000 for his persistent poor discipline on the field.
Having been left out of the squad for Saturday’s win at Newcastle, it has subsequently emerged that Balotelli has been at war with his club behind the scenes since the end of last season.
It is understood that the 22-year-old was charged by City with misconduct and hit with a fine of two weeks’ wages last May after they got fed up with the amount of football Balotelli was missing due to his habit of picking up red and yellow cards.
The disciplinary process was initiated by senior executives at the Etihad Stadium after Balotelli was sent off in the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last April.
It had the blessing of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and manager Roberto Mancini.
Balotelli missed 11 games at home and in Europe through suspension last term – one fifth of all his club’s matches – and has so far picked up three yellow cards in all competitions during this campaign.
Balotelli refused to pay his fine, feeling he was being unfairly victimised by City, and appealed to a two-man internal commission at the Etihad Stadium.
That hearing, held three weeks ago, failed to exonerate him and the Italy star has now taken the case to an independent Premier League tribunal. He is expected to appear in person with his own lawyer. City will be represented by their own legal team.
The case is reminiscent of last season’s dispute with Carlos Tevez that started when the South American failed to enter the field as a substitute in a Champions League game at Bayern Munich.
Tevez at one stage looked set to take his case to the Premier League but eventually backed down.
In Balotelli’s case, that looks unlikely to happen and City now face the rather uncomfortable prospect of facing one of their own players in front of the Premier League in London on Wednesday.
What this means for the player’s future at City remains to be seen.
Mancini cited fitness reasons for Balotelli’s exclusion on Saturday at St James’ Park and he was told to do a full training session yesterday.
Mancini is considering leaving him out of next week’s squad for the Reading game at the Etihad, but will decide later in the week.
Mancini said after Saturday’s win that he doesn’t want to sell Balotelli. Yet the situation is more complicated than that with some of City’s coaching staff now convinced the best course of action would be to move him on in January.
And it is understood City have been pressing the Premier League to deal with this case before January, which suggests the club haven’t ruled out the prospect of trading him or loaning him out.
Mancini said after the Newcastle game: “Mario is not in good form and for this reason he is at home.
“It is only for this reason. To get back into the team he needs to work in training and when he plays. He needs to play well.
“I’m used to talking about Mario every day, and I am not frustrated about that. But I am frustrated in that I would like Mario to play well because he has great quality.
“He still has a big part to play this season – absolutely. He is a good player and huge talent, with good quality and technique. It is important he puts these on the pitch.’
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
Premier League players (and managers) have taken their clubs to tribunal before – and usually left soon after. Here are four...
Charlie Adam v Blackpool – November 2010: Their captain launched a case after the Tangerines failed to pay a £25,000 bonus which was owed when Championship safety had been secured. Adam won but legal fees were considerable. He then signed for Liverpool.
Dan Gosling v Everton – July 2010: Earned the right to leave the club on a free transfer after successfully arguing that as his contract extension was only offered verbally and not in writing it was invalid. He moved to Newcastle for nothing.
Alan Curbishley v West Ham – November 2009: The manager won £2million from the club after Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney were sold behind his back. He had a clause in his contract demanding final say on transfers and claimed constructive dismissal.
Gabriel Heinze v Man Utd – August 2007: Tried to force a transfer to arch-rivals Liverpool after losing his place, but Sir Alex Ferguson blocked it. The Argentinian defender appealed to the Premier League but failed and was sold to Real Madrid for £6.8m.
TALE OF TROUBLE BALOTELLI IN DOCK
Nov 7, 2010 — Sent off for the first time as a City player at West Bromwich Albion.
Mar 17, 2011 — Red-carded in City’s Europa League second leg tie with Dynamo Kiev for a chest-high challenge.
Nov 27, 2011 — Sent off at Liverpool after coming on as a 65th-minute substitute and picking up two yellow cards.
Jan 22, 2012 — Referee Howard Webb misses Balotelli stamping on Scott Parker at Tottenham. Handed four-match ban.
Mar 31, 2012 — Argues on the pitch with team-mate Alexsandar Kolarov in a 3-3 draw with Sunderland.
Apr 8, 2012 — Shown the fourth red card of City career in 1-0 defeat at Arsenal. – Daily Mail