Indeed it wasn't till I got home and saw the highlights that it appeared Mario swung his boot back and kicks a prone Parker in the head. I've swung from "what an idiot" to "Surely he was off balance" but I have to admit the more I watch it the more I'm convinced Luca Modric played a part by pushing Mario. This is something the press simply haven't picked up on and a fact I will return to later.
Balotelli certainly does attract headlines be it "a brother's friend" setting off fireworks from a bathroom window on the eve of the Derby at Old Trafford. Through to giving a tramp a substantial amount of money. On the pitch we've seen the brilliant from his hat trick V Villa last season to the stupid kick out which got him rightly sent off against Dynamo Kiev. We've even seen him celebrating goals more especially his goal V Everton.
Problem is there have been issue early on in his City career he scored two delightful goals to win the game at West Brom only to then get himself sent off. Then of course there is the famous grass allergy which flared up whilst playing away in Europe. Yet when the club really needed him he has been a star turn in both the FA Cup Semi and Final he was at his best to help City win their first major honour in 35 years.
It's become a bit of a media circus with Gary Linekar on Match Of The Day admitting he loves watching him. Added to this the numerous rumours of going round Manchester hi fiving City fans, to putting up a group of homeless people in a luxury hotel. I've seen players sent off for various reasons but feel Mario got sent off against Liverpool at Anfield purely on the basis of his reputation rather than anything he'd actually done on the pitch.
That's where I return to the Modric push now bear in mind Modric saw the kick at Parker he walks away and doesn't make a big deal when Howard Webb stops play to allow Parker to get attention. This could mean he knew he had caused it. Some might argue the kick was aimed at Modric, that thought has crossed my mind. I honestly don't think there was any intention to hurt Parker I'm fairly certain Mario didn't even know where Parker had landed. Problem is whatever the reason the kick was done by Mario Balotelli and for that reason alone he must have meant it and Sky held what I can only describe as a witch hunt mentioning it on every opening segment for hours. It was confirmed the FA are charging Balotelli for violent conduct and because this would be his second ban after the Anfield red card he faces a four game ban
And that's despite former referee Dermott Gallagher earlier looking at the incident and saying he didn't think there was a case to answer. Interestingly he did say he felt Joleon Lescott did have a case to answer, yet like so many other incidents involving England squad regulars the FA haven't charged him. Personally I think Lescott is very lucky in fighting terms it was a clear forearm smash to Kaboul. But there again he isn't "Mad Mario"
And therein lies the problem as long as Balotelli plays in England the press are going to show interest, be it him winning games or doing something silly either on the pitch or in his spare time. Every detail is dragged up and examined in a way no 21 year old should have to put up with. It carrying on could cause Balotelli to decide to call time on his career in this Country and for the entertainment Linekar mentioned that would be a crying shame.
I must admit I fully cannot decide if he meant it or not but do feel Modric played a huge part. That said we are guessing if he meant it or not and that is what makes me flip flop between he meant it to he didn't. One thing that is obvious Mario is slightly mad but can be marvellous. But given the press it might be he has to go for the sake of his promising career.
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