Balotelli kicks ball into crowd, tries to leave pitch after racist abuse

Brescia striker Mario Balotelli responded to alleged racist abuse from Hellas Verona supporters by booting the match ball into the stands Sunday at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.

Proceedings were briefly halted as an incensed Balotelli threatened to leave the pitch. As per new rules introduced by Italian football authorities, referee Maurizio Mariani asked that a statement was read on the PA system before play resumed.

Balotelli then scored his second goal for his hometown club in the 85th minute as part of a 2-1 defeat that has Brescia stuck in the relegation zone on seven points.

Following the match, Verona manager Ivan Juric said he didn't hear any abuse in the stadium.

"I am not afraid to say there were no racist chants today. They might've jeered and mocked the great player, but there was nothing there. Nothing," Juric told Sky Sport Italia, as translated by Football Italia.

"I am disgusted by racist abuse and I will be the first to condemn it when it happens, but this was not it. They provoked him with jeers and sarcastic chants, but they were not racist. Anything else is a lie."