Mancini plays down Balotelli row

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has laughed off the latest controversy surrounding fiery striker Mario Balotelli.

The Italy forward was involved in a training ground bust-up with Micah Richards on Thursday. It was the fourth time Balotelli has been pictured fighting with team-mates, contributing to a chequered history at City, which also includes three red cards and, most recently, attempts to release fireworks from inside his Cheshire home, which required the fire brigade to be called out.

"I ask him 'why always you?'" said Mancini, a reference to the 'why always me' T-shirt Balotelli revealed after scoring in the 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.

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