06.01.2010
Inter's Balotelli lets fly at racist Chievo fans
Italian striker Mario Balotelli has hit out at supporters of Chievo after suffering yet another barrage of racist insults while playing for Inter Milan.
Balotelli, born in Palermo but of Ghanaian heritage, scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute to send Inter 11 points clear of closest rivals AC Milan as Serie A resumed after a short winter break.
However his joy was tinged with racist chants and jeering that left the 19-year-old striking sensation "more and more disgusted" with Chievo, who are based in Verona - the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
His outburst was all the more poignant as the Italian, who is regularly subjected to such behaviour, usually refrains from hitting back.
"I just want to say one thing. Every time I come to Verona I realise that the supporters disgust me more and more. It's completely unacceptable," he told Sky Sports.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho tried to play down the incident.
"Verona is a magnificent town. The club is held in high esteem ... and if something kicks off in the stands it doesn't change all that," said the Portuguese.
"Let's not get too carried away by it. I also heard a few unsavoury things about myself, but I just ignore it."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Giuseppe Cacace
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Italy / Italy Serie A 2009-10 .jpg)
