INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Footballer Mario Balotelli has been the subject of a racist remark by the president of his own club.The 29-year-old striker has struggled
since returning to the Italian league with Brescia, his hometown club, and is reported to have had explosive rows with coach Fabio
Grosso.Asked about Balotelli's troubles on Monday, Brescia president Massimo Cellino said: "He's black, what can I say, he's working on
clearing himself but he's having a lot of difficulty."Image:Massimo Cellino made the derogatory comment on MondayThe comment marks the
latest discriminatory incident of a Serie A season that has been tainted with racist chants directed at players and other offensive
behaviour.Mr Cellino's comment was later downplayed by the club, which released a statement calling it a "paradoxical joke".Brescia added
that the comment was "clearly misunderstood" and "released in an attempt to defuse excessive media exposure and with intent to protect the
player himself".Earlier this month, Balotelli was the target of racist chants during a match at Hellas Verona - which was suspended for
several minutes when he threatened to leave the field and angrily kicked the ball into the stands.Balotelli also experienced racism at the
beginning of his career where he rose to prominence with Inter Milan.In recent months, derogatory chants have also been aimed at Romelu
Lukaku, Franck Kessie, Dalbert Henrique, Miralem Pjanic, Ronaldo Vieira and Kalidou Koulibaly in the Serie A league.In 2018, Balotelli
signed a "multi-year contract" with Brescia on a free transfer
He signed for a base salary of €1.5m (£1.3m) before bonuses for one year.Image:Balotelli reacts to racist chants from Verona fans during
the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and Brescia Past managers and teammates have criticised him for having an immature attitude at
times, as well as a volatile temperament on the pitch.While playing for Inter Milan, he famously had a strained relationship with manager
Jose Mourinho and was suspended from Inter's first team in January 2009.Balotelli rejoined Serie A after three years in the French league,
however he has not been able to help Brescia climb out of last place.The club have earned just seven points from 12 games, with Balotelli
scoring them two goals in seven games."I bought (Balotelli) because I thought he could add something to the squad," Mr Cellino said."But due
to overexposure we've made him become a weakness
If we continue to talk about Balotelli we'll be hurting both him and ourselves."
