Italians racially abuse Balotelli

Balotelli has been racially absued by Italians Mario Barwuah Balotelli, the young Inter Milan striker who scornfully turned down Ghana insisting he only feels Italian, has been told by some Italians that "a black Italian does not exit."

The 18-year-old, an Italy under-21 international, was born to Ghanaian parents in Palermo has been handed several call-ups to the Black Stars.

 
He told Ghana football authorities that he does not feel he is Ghanaian even though he is black and his parents hail from the West African country.

 
But the Inter Milan goalscorer was given a taste of his own medicine when he was racially abused by some home fans during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Juventus.

 
A section of Juventus fans sang "a black Italian does not exist" towards Balotelli on Saturday.

 
This must certainly be a rude-awakening for Balotelli as he seems to have been rejected by the country he has chosen over the country of his parents.

 
Action must be taken to end Italian soccer's culture of racism, Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said on Sunday.

 
"In the name of Juventus and the great majority of our fans, I express a firm condemnation of the racist chants against Inter player Mario Balotelli," Cobolli Gigli told Italy's ANSA news service.

 
"Together we must try to create a sporting culture which centres on respect for an opponent and the fight against racism."

 
Racial chanting is not uncommon in Serie A with the league usually handing out small fines to clubs.