Flamboyant football star Mario Balotelli has been embroiled in yet more controversy, but this time it's with the Italian national team following reports he played on his iPad whilst warming the bench during a Euro 2012 qualifier.
Manchester City's repeat offender was on duty for Italy's Euro 2012 match against the Faroe Islands last Friday, but when he didn't get a starting spot apparently decided a game of Angry Birds or an update of his Facebook page would be a great way to kill time.
Balotelli played the final six minutes of the match and contributed little to the game, but team manager Luigi Riva moved quickly to deny there was a rift after the final whistle.
'Let's not create a problem where there is none,' Riva said after the 1-0 victory.
'He only played a few minutes against the Faroe Islands so he couldn't do much.
'But in every training, Mario gives his best.'
In March, Balotelli was dropped by the Italian national team after he fell foul of coach Cesare Prandelli's strict rules on discipline.
It came after Balotelli was sent off for City during the Europa League match against Dynamo Kyiv for a challenge on defender Goran Popov.
Joorabchian denies Onuoha link as Cook fallout spreads
Agent Kia Joorbachian has moved to deny claims he represents Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha after claims relating to the current email controversy surrounding the club.
City confirmed on Monday that there would be an investigation into claims that chief executive Garry Cook sent an offensive email to Onuoha's mother, who was undergoing treatment for cancer.
It was claimed in the press on Tuesday that Joorabchian represented Onuoha and would consider it a personal triumph if Cook was axed over the incident as the pair are set to have been at loggerheads for three years.
However, Joorabchian said in a statement: "Contrary to reports in some of the newspapers this morning, I do not act for or represent the footballer Nedum Onuoha of Manchester City. I have not met the player or spoken to him at any time."
However, he was happy to talk about the player in August - according to quotes attributed to him by the BBC.
"I'm not surprised at this level of interest, because Nedum has proven that he's a very good player," Joorabchian was quoted as telling the outlet.
MCF THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=39975
Gueida Fofana has revealed he came close to joining Manchester City before completing a move to Lyon.
The highly-rated midfielder made the switch to Stade Gerland just before the transfer deadline after catching the eye with Le Havre.
He has also impressed at youth international level with France at various age groups and a number of leading clubs were monitoring the progress of a player who is regarded as a possible superstar of the future.
Fofana admits Man City were leading the chase for his signature and he would have been ready to accept such a challenge, but the prospect of playing more regularly for Lyon swayed his decision.
"I was keen to leave Le Havre in my mind. They gave me until the end of August to sort out my future," he told France Football.
"At first, actually I was due to leave for Manchester City. It was the club that showed the most interest in me just after the Under-20 World Cup.
"There were also Spanish, English and French sides, but Manchester City was in with the best chance.
"Even if they have a lot of midfielders, I was keen to go there. Then, early last week, Lyon came. In my position, they have only Kim Kallstrom and Maxime Gonalons.
"It changed everything. Considering the prospect of having first-team opportunities at the highest level, I didn't hesitate."
Manchester City's Micah Richards believes he will be fit for weekend clash with Wigan
The player had to withdraw from the England squad for the Bulgaria match because of a tight hamstring, but is hopeful he will be fit by Saturday as club hope to maintain 100% start
Manchester City defender Micah Richards is hopeful he can regain full fitness is time for the Wigan Athletic match at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who recently signed a new four-year deal with the club he has been with since 2001, was forced to withdraw from the England squad to face Bulgaria and Wales due to a hamstring complaint.
However, Richards – who has been mostly deployed at right-back by Blues manager Roberto Mancini – is confident he will be ready to start the game at the weekend.
“I felt a bit of tightness in the hamstring and it is not something I want to take any chances with,” he told City’s official website.
“I missed some games last season with a similar problem and thought it best to be as cautious as possible.
“I have had the injury looked at and I am confident I will be available for the Wigan game at the weekend.
“No-one wants to miss a minute of the season after the start we have had. It is only three games and we are not getting carried away.
“Our feet are firmly on the ground but we want to keep going. We have played some magical stuff so far.”
Richards is not the only defender vying for a place in the starting line-up as Kolo Toure is back for the after finishing a six-month ban for failing a drugs test.
The England defender continued: “Kolo looks fresh and in the kind of form that made him such an awesome central defender when Arsenal were at the top of their game.
“Training has gone to another level this season. There is such competition for places and we all want to be part of the team that hopefully builds on the FA Cup success.”
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