Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli said he was racially abused while playing for second-string Emirates side Al-Ittifaq in a match against Dubai City on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old, who previously played for Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan and Inter Milan, joined Al-Ittifaq last month after a spell at Italian side Genoa.
«Today I was racially abused several times during a match. Lihat juga bvhfgg16. I was repeatedly told: ‘Uh uh uh, you go eat a banana.’ There is absolutely no place for racism in football, nor in society,» Balotelli wrote on Instagram after the 2-0 defeat at Hatta.
“This type of behavior cannot be normalized, excused or ignored. I am speaking out to raise awareness – not just for myself, but for every player who has been exposed to this. Enough is enough.”
Al-Ittifaq and Dubai City did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Balotelli, who has spoken out about several cases of racism throughout his career, said he did not expect to encounter the problem in the UAE.
«I have always condemned all acts of racism, but I did not expect this to happen here. I hope serious measures are taken to prevent this from happening again,» he added.
Published on February 12, 2026
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