LIVERPOOL STRIKER MARIO Balotelli faces disciplinary action after the FA charged him for an allegedly racist and anti-Semitic post on Instagram.

Balotelli re-posted an image of Nintendo character Super Mario earlier this week before quickly deleting it and apologising.

The accompanying text on the image read: “Don’t be racist! Be like Mario.

“He’s an Italian plumber created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican … jumps like a black man and grabs coin like a Jew.”

The FA charged Balotelli this evening with an aggravated breach of their social media rules.

The striker had until 6pm on Friday evening to submit evidence to the FA, and it was widely reported that he would provide evidence of the discrimination he has faced as part of the case to clear his name.

The FA said:

Mario Balotelli has been charged by The FA in relation to a recent posting on social media.It is alleged the Liverpool player breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his posting was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.

It is further alleged that this is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as defined by FA Rule E3[2] as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief.

The player has until 6pm on 15 December 2014 to respond to the charge.

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