Controversial Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli was suspended for one match by the FA on Thursday and fined 25,000 pounds (HK$300,000) after posting an offensive message on social media.
Earlier this month, the Italian showed a picture on his Instagram account containing racist and anti-Semitic connotations.
“Mario Balotelli has been fined 25,000 pounds, suspended for one match with immediate effect, subject to appeal, and warned as to his future conduct after he admitted breaching FA rules in relation to social media,” the FA said.
“The charge was that an image the Liverpool player posted on social media was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.
I am sorry my teammates and supporters of Liverpool FC have to be penalised for something I did and now come to regret
“The posting was considered to be an ‘aggravated breach’ as defined in FA Rule E3 (2) in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.”