Apologetic Balotelli admits Euro fears

Mario Balotelli has apologised for his sending off in Manchester City's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal at the weekend, expressing fears that it could mean he misses the European Championships.

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The controversial 21-year-old was dismissed for two yellow cards after a pair of ugly challenges in the Premier League encounter that saw his side drop to eight points behind bitter rivals Manchester United in the title race.

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His club coach Roberto Mancini then came out and said the Italian of Ghanaian origin would play no further part in the Premier League run-in and would "probably" be sold in the summer.

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Worse was to follow, though, as Italy coach Cesare Prandelli then claimed he would consider dropping the former Inter Milan forward from his squad.

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If Balotelli is not part of the Italy squad for the brief international get-together later this month, or Italy's friendlies against Luxembourg on May 29 and Russia on June 1, then he could hardly expect to be going to Poland and Ukraine.

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That prospect has prompted an apology from the player.

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"I'm very sorry for what happened, for the disappointment I've given Manchester City and in particular to Roberto Mancini for whom I have a lot of respect and I'm very fond of," Balotelli told Italian news agency Ansa via his agent Mino Raiola.

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"I really want to play for the national team but (on Sunday) I committed two fouls during the game, it wasn't a reaction.

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"I haven't breached the code of ethics. I've already missed out on the national team for some stupidity and I wouldn't do it a second time. I hope to be part of the April get-together.

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"We'll wait for the final outcome of the ban. As for my future we'll see at the end of the season, I'll talk with the club."

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Prandelli has a no-tolerance policy towards ill discipline and has always excluded players from his squad if they are serving a club ban for violent conduct.

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Balotelli was left out for February's friendly with USA as he served a suspension for kicking Tottenham's Scott Parker in the head.

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Although he faces a simple ban for picking up two yellow cards, the Football Association may increase his suspension if they think he should have received a greater punishment for his first booking for a studs-up tackle on Alex Song.

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