Balotelli accepts FA charge over 'racist' Instagram post

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has reportedly accepted a Football Association (FA) charge following his Instagram post which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

Earlier, FA revealed in a statement that the Italian had allegedly breached its rule E3 [1] as his social media post was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper.

Balotelli responded to the allegations while writing a letter to the governing body and thereby reportedly hasn't requested a personal hearing.

Meanwhile, Liverpool hopes that his explanation would lead FA to only fine the player rather than imposing ban, the BBC reported.

The Italian striker posted an image of computer game character Super Mario on Instagram, which included the words "jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew."

Earlier, the Italian striker had apologised for the post, adding that it was meant to be anti-racist with humour and that he then understood it could have the opposite effect if said out of context.

Under the FA's social media guidelines, a player could face a minimum ban of five games for race-related breaches of rules.

Image: Mario Balotelli of Liverpool

Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images