
Audio By Carbonatix
Manchester City and Italy striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012, which kicks off next week.Balotelli added he would "kill" anyone who dared throw a banana at him in the street.A recent BBC Panorama programme revealed cases of racism and anti-Semitism in football grounds in host nations Poland and Ukraine."If [racism] does happen I would leave the pitch and go home," said Balotelli."Racism is unacceptable to me, I cannot bear it. We are in 2012, it can't happen."If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to prison because I will kill him."The Panorama programme showed fans making Nazi salutes on the terraces, black players being taunted with monkey chants and a vicious assault on a group of Asian students.Former England captain Sol Campbell advised fans not to travel, suggesting they would be risking their lives if they did so.Ukraine's Euro 2012 director Markian Lubkivsky said Campbell's remarks were "insolent".Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, 21, was regularly the target of racist abuse when playing in Italy.In an interview with France Football, Balotelli also said he believes he is a genius."I think I am a genius, but not a rebel," he said. "I have my life, my world. I do what I want, without annoying anyone."I believe I am more intelligent than the average person."The talent God gave me is beautiful and wonderful, but it is difficult because you are always facing other people keen to judge you."There are few people with such talent, so there are few able to judge what I am doing."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Uganda suspends school trips after 20 pupils die in bus crash
3 minutes -
Fire destroys wooden structures at Ofankor, no injuries recorded
3 minutes -
Father arrested over alleged sexual exploitation of 16-year-old daughter
14 minutes -
Deputy Health Minister advocates transparent, merit-based admissions into health training institutions
16 minutes -
Two arrested as driver, mate are found dead in hotel at Nkawkaw
17 minutes -
I don’t have full control over galamsey hotspots due to police jurisdiction disputes – Juaben MCE
18 minutes -
Iran accuses US of hitting civilian infrastructure
23 minutes -
Queiroz can build stronger Black Stars capable of competing at AFCON and World Cup – Mahama
31 minutes -
Richie Mensah launches Orbra, a life operating system created for the masterminds community
38 minutes -
‘A true miracle of destiny’ – Messi and Lamine Yamal’s incredible first meeting
41 minutes -
Mahama delivers medical equipment to Ho District Hospital to boost Free Primary Healthcare programme
55 minutes -
Beads, not screens: How Ancient Abacus is rescuing Ghana’s children from digital distraction
1 hour -
MPs must put Ghana ahead of party loyalty and personal ambition – Justice Atuguba
1 hour -
Police end rescue efforts for more victims of fatal Odumase accident
1 hour -
What if society had a memory for kindness
1 hour