Right-wing local politician Paolo Ciani mocked up the image showing the Manchester City striker in his Italian shirt and bending over to pluck cabbages.
In Italy, many immigrants from Africa or South America graft as vegetable harvesters amid numerous complaints over their working conditions — including the searing heat.
Ciani, from the Future and Liberty party, captioned the picture in reference to claims the 21-year-old elbowed Irish player Richard Dunne before launching a foul-mouthed rant at Italy’s management team.
The 51-year-old wrote: “He commits a foul worthy of a red card, scores then unleashes a verbal onslaught against the bench forcing them to shut him up. This clown should go and work in the fields.”
Ciani has since been accused of blatant racism.
His comment came after the UEFA launched an investigation against Croatian fans for throwing bananas at Balotelli and aiming monkey chants at him.
Before the tournament, Balotelli — who was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrant parents — had vowed to walk off if he suffered race abuse in the finals, Ciani, from nationalist Trieste, hit back at claims he was being racist.
He posted a picture of himself at a council meeting with a black resident, adding: “How can they accuse me of racism. I work with non-European Union nationals. This is the best response to this presumed racism.”
He added: “What I was doing was making a footballing comment, I was highlighting how Balotelli had committed a bad foul which could have got him sent off — then his reaction after scoring was so over the top one of his team mates had to put his hand over his mouth.
“I am friends with (Ghanaian) footballer Kwadwo Asamoah who is blacker than Balotelli but he has never been whistled and jeered at because before being a footballer he is a man. As I said all I was doing was making a footballing comment.
“I believe that Balotelli with his extravagance and vision on life is a poor example for the younger generation. I said he had to go to work because that is a common phrase. Once we used to say focus on fishing but now we say go to work.”
Today Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola was unavailable for comment.
Posted: at 21-06-2012 04:47 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
umuyo101 at 21-06-2012 07:21 PM (11 years ago) (m)
Posted: at 21-06-2012 07:21 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
jeromchis at 22-06-2012 02:01 AM (11 years ago) (m)
Split Nigeria,Disintegrate Nigeria,Divide Nigeria...the Us and UK has used us a lot in the name of one Nigeria,this is modern slavery and manipulation in highest order...God will punish you folks,when you take one of ours,dozens of yours will be taken and more plague n doom will be your morning hug.
Posted: at 22-06-2012 02:01 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
The good news remains that Balotelli is far greater than Paolo Ciani so, whatever he like to say, he can say after all Paolo Ciani MUST never archive what the player has archived in life so far. He is a foolish man despite what he claims he is and the guy is even playing for his own Country team inshort, some white people are racist.
Posted: at 22-06-2012 03:15 AM (11 years ago) | Newbie
Split Nigeria,Disintegrate Nigeria,Divide Nigeria...the Us and UK has used us a lot in the name of one Nigeria,this is modern slavery and manipulation in highest order...God will punish you folks,when you take one of ours,dozens of yours will be taken and more plague n doom will be your morning hug.
ESPECIALLY THE USELESS AND WICKED BRITAIN.THE MOST COWARDICE SELFISH COUNTRY ON EARTH.ONE NIGERIA WILL KILL THEM VERY SOON.phyuk BRITAIN,phyuk QUEEN ELIZABETH.phyuk THE SELFISH COLONIAL MASTERS
Posted: at 22-06-2012 03:32 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Paolo Ciani IS A JEALOUS RACIST.phyuk HIM A MILLION TIMES A DAY.WHO EVER GOD RAISED UP,NO MOTHERphyukER AND NO FATHERphyukER CAN BRING HIM DOWN.ANIMALS THAT CALL THEMSELVES WHITES
Posted: at 22-06-2012 03:35 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
ballotelli can be childish and over exuberant at times. but is it important who is racist or not? worst racism is in africa, much worse in nigeria. let us remove the huge logs of wood in our eyes then we may see the speck in other peoples' eyes. black people are their worst enemies, most times black people oppress fellow blacks, it is for no just cause other than sheer hatred. white people accomodate us much better than we do, which is why the blackman keeps trouping thier large numbers to countries run by white people. go to some ministries in nigeria, and see raw undiluted hatred. there is a particular tribe that loves speaking their language in federal offices even when there are others from a different background than theirs.
Posted: at 22-06-2012 04:37 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
lopez2424 at 22-06-2012 08:08 AM (11 years ago) (f)
Quote from: isaacassiamah on 21-06-2012 11:40 PM
ALL THESE ARE NOT TRUE...................mind your business
The fact that there are people like you on NP who didn't not see this as a racist pic is disturbing. Let's see, right wing politician in a country known for facist views posts a photo of black Italian footballer working in occupation which employs many poor immigrants. Oh I'm sure it's all just a nasty coincidence. Plus he has black friends! Well that settles it!!You know their racist when they use the " I have black friends" card. He might of explained what he said about the football meaning of his message bout what bout the "work in the fields" part? Clearly he knows he made a mess of it and is now trying to cover his tracks.
Posted: at 22-06-2012 08:08 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming
umuyo101
Adego1
chicco77
Senegal
habiziz
denmal
jeromchis
ukbad
miobi
isbigo
ebbi
malvin2525
topten85
jossy4reall
TRENDING GISTS 
Bandits Abduct Scores Of Residents In Fresh Kaduna Attack
PHOTOS: Woman Allegedly Abducts 5Yr Old Child In Akwa Ibom
VIDEO: "I Want To Work With You" – Rihanna Tells Ayra Starr As They Meet
EFCC To Arraign Yahaya Bello, Nephew Over N80.2billion Money Laundering Today
VIDEO: Woman Arrested After Taking Dead Uncle To The Bank To Secure A Loan