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Mario Balotelli: "If I Had Been White, I’d Have Had Fewer Problems."

Mario Balotelli: "If I Had Been White, I’d Have Had Fewer Problems."

He's admitted to causing some of his own problems but believes he would have been forgiven quicker if he was white.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Mario Balotelli reckons if he had been white he'd have fewer problems.

The Italian striker has enjoyed a professional career playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. From Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Serie A, to Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.

While forging an international career, earning 33 caps scoring 13 goals.

Though, his career has been blighted with controversy. Despite admitting to causing some of his own problems, he believes he'd have been forgiven quicker if he was white.

"In some stadiums, people chanted 'There are no black Italians' at me, yet I am the proof that there are," he told French outlet SoFoot via Mirror.

Balotelli in action for Nice. Image: PA
Balotelli in action for Nice. Image: PA

Balotelli added: "Even if I am Italian, born and raised in Italy, the law states I only became Italian once I reached the age of 18.

"The law is wrong and that is perhaps why to this day some people see black as the colour of diversity, of inferiority, of an error in the middle of a team photograph.

"I think that if I had been white, I'd have had fewer problems. Perhaps I did cause some of my own problems and had the wrong attitude at times, but would I have been forgiven quicker? Absolutely yes."

Balotelli representing Italy. Image: PA
Balotelli representing Italy. Image: PA
Balotelli celebrates scoring a goal for Italy. Image: PA
Balotelli celebrates scoring a goal for Italy. Image: PA

Commenting on the government, weighing in on Italy's first ever black senator, Toni Iwobi, who's involvement with Matteo Salvini's far right Northern League party got plenty of talking, creating a stir.

"Italy is not a racist country, but it does have some racists in it. The change is in the hands of the next generation and we must teach our children that everyone is the same, despite apparent differences.

"The main point is to reiterate that there are black Italians. There are Italians and that's it. Stop. That senator can't be passed off as an exception, otherwise we are back to the beginning again.

"If he'd been elected for any other party, I would've had nothing to say," he added.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Mario Balotelli, Italy

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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