(GSM) - Francsesco Totti absolutely denies using a racist insult against Mario Balotelli. The Roma captain revealed how he was provoked by the Internazionale youngster during the Coppa Italia.
“From the first moment I stepped on to the pitch, Balotelli provoked me,” Totti said in the magazine Diva e Donna.
“He even said ‘Yo granddad! You are finished!’”
The Roma talisman responded by chasing down the 19-year-old Inter striker and viciously swinging a kick at the back of his ankle.
This led to a red card and a four-match ban, but there were also allegations from Balotelli’s agent of racist insults.
“I made a mistake and I know that, but I never used a racist epithet. Never,” insisted Totti.
“I feel very alone right now. Thankfully my life-long friends are with me, the children and my wife, Ilary.
“I made a mistake, but I was provoked.”
1 - 0 |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| Júlio César | |
| M. Materazzi |
 35'
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I. Córdoba
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| J. Zanetti | |
| Maicon | |
| C. Chivu |
44'
|
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W. Sneijder
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| E. Cambiasso | |
| Thiago Motta | |
| S. Eto'o | |
| D. Milito |
 39'
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| Coach: José Mourinho | |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
| Júlio Sérgio | |
|
N. Burdisso
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14'
|
| Juan | |
| J. Riise | |
| P. Mexès |
44'
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| D. De Rossi | |
| S. Perrotta |
37'
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D. Pizarro
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| Taddei | |
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L. Toni
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| M. Vučinić | |
| Coach: C. Ranieri | |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
|
for W. Sneijder 6' |
87'
|
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for I. Córdoba 39' |
53'
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for M. Balotelli 90' |
| Player | Bookings |
|---|---|
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for N. Burdisso 45' |
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for D. Pizarro 45' |
63'
 88'
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for L. Toni 63' |
