Mario Balotelli escaped a possible further six match ban after City’s eventful game at the Emirates Stadium after referee Martin Atkinson confirmed in his match report that he had seen Balotelli’s foul on Arsenal’s Alex Song but took no action during the game.
City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he was at the end of his tether with the enigmatic youngster and hinted that Balotelli could be sold in the summer – a decision that will be of little comfort to City fans who have watched their title challenge fade away since the start of 2012.
The Italian striker issued an apology for his late sending off during the 1-0 defeat which all but ended City’s title challenge this season and missing the rest of the season due to suspension could seriously threaten his involvement in this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament or the Olympics for Italy.
“At the end of the season I will speak with the club and we’ll see,” Balotelli said in a statement.
Balotelli will now miss 3 games starting with the West Brom game on Wednesday.