Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli says sorry over Dynamo Kiev red card
Mario Balotelli has issued a public apology for the moment of madness that could see him axed from Manchester City's team to face Chelsea on Sunday.[LNB]The Italian striker was sent off for an X-rated challenge on Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov as City crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night, and was later involved in an angry confrontation with Kiev fans.[LNB] Seeing red: Mario Balotelli was sent off after his wild lunge on Dynamo Kiev's Goran Popov[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini, who branded Balotelli's tackle 'stupid', will fine the player and must now decide whether he can trust the 20-year-old in an even more high-profile game at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]Balotelli said: 'It was not my intention to hurt anyone, I want to express my sincere apologies to Popov.[LNB]'I was trying my best for the team as I always do. I never tried to make contact with Popov and I certainly didn't want to hurt him. [LNB] When will you learn: City team-mate Nigel de Jong has warned Balotelli he must learn from his mistakes[LNB]'The tackle was poor and I'm very sorry to my team-mates that I got sent off so early in such an important game.[LNB]'It was not a good way to repay the manager who has shown so much faith in me or the owners and fans who have made me so welcome since I arrived from Italy.'[LNB]The sending-off was Balotelli's second red card in a short City career, having also picked up nine bookings since signing from Inter Milan for ?23million last summer.[LNB]Balotelli will receive a one-match European ban but UEFA will wait to see the report from Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir before deciding whether to impose a heavier punishment.[LNB] Confrontation: A shocked onlooker snapped this picture of Mario Balotelli confronting fans after City's Europa League loss[LNB] When will you learn? De Jong confronts Balotelli over bad bahaviourFriday Five: The expensive signings who won the battles of the rich kids...All the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Roberto Mancini, Mario Balotelli Places: United Kingdom, Italy
