WF: Balotelli Threatens to 'Kill' Racist Fans
 

Euro 2012: Mario Balotelli threatens to 'kill' banana-throwing fans

• I will not accept racism at all, says Italy striker
• Balotelli has been a past target, at home and abroad

The Guardian UK, Tuesday 29 May 2012

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Italy's Mario Balotelli has heeded the warnings about Euro 2012 and has issued one of his own to would-be racists.
Photograph: Claudio Villa/Getty Images

The Italy and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has threatened to kill anyone who throws a banana at him in the street or on the pitch during the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.
His comments come a day after Sol Campbell, speaking on Panorama, told England fans not to travel to the competition because they could "end up coming back in a coffin".
Balotelli, who is preparing with the Italian team for their Group C fixtures, said: "I will not accept racism at all. It's unacceptable. If someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to jail, because I will kill them."
The 21-year-old is not a stranger to racism and was once pelted with bananas in a Rome bar before the European Under-21 Championships in June 2009. "It was lucky that the police arrived quickly because, I swear, I would have beaten them. I would have really destroyed them. I hope it never happens again." He has been the victim of racist abuse on several occasions – most recently in February when Porto were fined over the behaviour of their supporters in a Europa League tie against City.
"Let's see what happens at the Euros," he added. "I hope it will pass without a problem."
The Italian also described himself as a genius, saying: "I think I am a genius but not a rebel. 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."