Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli admits 'naivety' over Super Mario post

Controversial Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has admitted that he was 'naive' for his Super Mario post on social media, that got the Italian banned for Sunday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

Balotelli posted an image that appeared to make anti-Semitic and racist references. He admitted to the charge and was also fined 25,000 pounds.

The FA has published written reasons for sanctioning Balotelli, while acknowledging that the striker had 'not intended to cause offence', The BBC reported.

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Roger Burden, who chaired the FA regulatory commission that punished the striker, stated that the Italian had said that he 'deeply regretted' posting the image and that the striker removed it as soon as it was brought to his attention by other users that it could cause 'offence'. Burden further stated that Balotelli claimed that he was 'shocked' to find the image was 'offensive' because, 'out of sheer naivety', the striker had not understood the implication of the comments that appeared on the image.

In evidence submitted to the FA, Balotelli said that he deleted the image quickly, and that it was on his Instagram account for less than 10 minutes, the report added.