MANCHESTER — Mario Balotelli has apologised for the red card he received against Arsenal and confirmed he will hold talks with Manchester City over his future at the end of the season.
Balotelli’s eventful City football career took another twist on Sunday as he was handed his marching orders in the latter stages of City’s 1-0 loss that handed their rivals Manchester United an eight-point lead at the summit.
The striker was fortunate not be given a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson in the first half after he caught Alex Song with a dangerous challenge, and it is anticipated the Football Association will hand him a retrospective ban.
City boss Roberto Mancini said after the game that he will “probably” sell Balotelli in the summer after being let down by the Italian on a number of occasions, and the forward has reacted by apologising for his actions.
“I’m really sorry for what happened, for the disappointment I’ve given to Man City and, particularly, to Roberto Mancini, for whom I have a great respect and who I love,” Balotelli told Ansa news agency.
“As for my future, we will see at the end of the season. I’ll talk with the club and we will see.” Balotelli (21) is also hopeful that his latest red card will not cost him a place in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad for this summer’s European Championship. Prandelli dropped the player for the February friendly against the USA after Balotelli was hit with a ban for stamping on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker in January.
Balotelli added: “I’m really keen to play for the national team. I made two fouls in the game. I’ve already lost out on the national team for one bad thing; I wouldn’t do it for a second time.” Meanwhile, Clint Dempsey rescued a point for Fulham on his 150th appearance for the club to deal Chelsea a blow in their bid for a top-four finish.
Frank Lampard gave the visitors the lead in contentious fashion, converting a penalty after Danny Murphy was adjudged to have fouled Salomon Kalou.
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The Blues failed to make their possession pay and were punished when Dempsey scored with eight minutes left.
The American headed home a corner to give Fulham a deserved point.
But Chelsea will be left to rue missed opportunities as they chase a place in the top four and guaranteed qualification for the Champions League.
On a night of driving rain at Craven Cottage the conditions made things difficult for both teams, but Fulham had an early edge as they used their wide players well.
John Arne Riise, Damien Duff and Kerim Frei all looked lively and kept the Blues defence busy.
However, Chelsea survived the early pressure and then dominated possession, but they failed to create any really telling chances from open play.
With 50 games already played and FA Cup and Champions League semi-finals fast approaching, Blues boss Roberto di Matteo made six changes from the side that beat Wigan on Saturday.
John Terry, Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard all returned but they know they will need to do more against Tottenham on Sunday and Barcelona next Wednesday if the Blues are to secure any silverware this season.
Fixtures tomorrow Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic v Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City — BBC Sport
