Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was given complete support by Italy national team boss Cesare Prandelli after suffering racist abuse during the 1-1 draw with Romania.
Balotelli was subjected to constant booing during the game in Austria, with Prandelli disgusted by what he saw and heard – with banners also railing against a multi-ethnic Italy.
He told Italian TV:"I was disappointed and angry to hear those chants. It really makes you want to do something, but we are impotent in this situation.
"We always hear these chants and something has to be done about it. I would love to see someone embrace him to confirm the faith and affection in this lad."
Balotelli himself later added:"In all honesty, I don't know what to say. If I have to stand there every time and listen to these chants, we're going nowhere.
"Cesare Prandelli says everyone should hug me and it would be nice if that happened, but it also wouldn't be right to stop the game just for those few people who go to the stadium to behave like that.
"We'd need to change these people, but I am not the one to do it. I am happy to play for the Nazionale.
"I will just say that where I live, in Brescia, there is already a multi-ethnic Italy and we can do a lot better."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
