Patrick Vieira has defended Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotelli, claiming the controversial striker is a charmer not a bad-boy.
Balotelli sparked a brawl with his over-zealous celebrations following City's 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
United stars Rio Ferdinand and Anderson, as well as City boss Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt, became embroiled in the ugly melee at the final whistle.
The episode was the latest controversy involving Balotelli, whose penchant for trouble has earned him his bad-boy tag.
It's something Vieira - who mentored the 20-year-old when the pair were at Inter Milan - views as unfair.
"That's part of his personality, that's Balotelli's charm," said Vieira. "I don't think it was a case of provocation, I just think he got carried away.
"There was more pressure on City's shoulders than United's. As a club and as a team, United are more used to controlling these types of games.
"For us, it was pure joy because the club has been waiting for this for so long. And with all the press expecting United to win easily, it was a big relief.
"There was some over-excitement, but I think United's players got carried away as well."
Vieira is aiming to match Chelsea's Ashley Cole as the only player over the past century to claim five FA Cup winners' medals when City take on Stoke in the final at Wembley on May 14.
Former Arsenal skipper Vieira won the FA Cup four times during his time with the Gunners and is keen to add a fifth triumph in what is likely to be his final season before retirement.
"It would be a shame not to win the FA Cup and not to finish in the top four," he said.
"We've got six or seven matches left to try and hang in there for that fourth place, and then the icing on the cake would be to win the FA Cup.
"It's magnificent, magnificent. The atmosphere at Wembley was incredible.
"I hope we win it, we've done the hardest part in knocking out Manchester United, now we're up against probably the most physical team in the league.
"Even though we're favourites on paper, it will be tough. Any final is hard to win."
Vieira, 34, is out of contract at the end of this season and dropped a strong hint that he would quit playing if City, as expected, decided not to hand him a one-year extension.
"I don't know [about retirement]," said Vieira. "We haven't got to that stage yet. I'm taking this easy, we will see what happens.
"But quitting would surely be the best decision for me. It would not trouble me if I ended my playing career. I have experienced everything the football world has to offer.
"I've won things, lost and I've cried. I've experienced everything and if I had to hang up my boots and haven't found this flame with a club that inspires me to keep pushing myself then I will stop.
"I'm in form to finish the season, but to start again there are lots of little questions you have to ask, lots of things that come into the equation.
"Trying a new adventure in the United States [like Thierry Henry] or elsewhere at 35 doesn't really interest me.
"It's hard at 35 to keep playing three times a week."
Vieira ruled out a return to the French league and said he would not play for another club in England if City showed him the door.
"I won't come back to France at 35," said Vieira. "It's complicated and the desire's not there either.
"Staying in England after having played for Arsenal and City would be very difficult - that doesn't leave much choice."
Carlos Tevez, who missed the semi-final win with a hamstring tear, is desperate to play in the final.
Tevez has been ruled out for up to four weeks but the City captain is undergoing intensive treatment in a bid to be fit.
The striker's only memory of playing at Wembley is an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton on penalties in 2009, when he was playing for United. Tevez said: "It's not a happy memory for me. I've played in the FA Cup for three teams and I know what an important competition it is in England."In some countries, the domestic cup is not so important but because of the history and of what the FA Cup means to the supporters, it carries more significance to English teams."
***
Car crash: Soon after his transfer from Inter, Balotelli smashed his Audi R8 into a black BMW in Hulme. The striker emerged from the wreck in one piece but the car was taken for inspection by police.
The bib incident: He brought a whole new meaning to the term ‘pampered footballer’ when he struggled to come to terms with the highly complex white bib during a pre-match arm-up. Balotelli tossed it away in frustration only for a City coach to put it on for him.
Allergy to grass: Balotelli was over a minute late coming out for the second half away to Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League and was eventually substituted in the 57th minute when his face became swollen. City revealed it was because he was allergic to the grass.
Sending off: In the return leg against Dynamo, Balotelli got himself dismissed for a high and reckless tackle on Goran Popov. Balotelli launched himself with his studs up and got the Kiev left-back in the chest as City went out of the competition.
Darts incident: Balotelli was caught throwing darts from a first-floor window at youth team players. City dismissed the incident as no one was hurt and explained that Balotelli was ‘bored’. It was later described as just a ‘prank’.
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