Mario Balotelli Accidentally Punches FC Sion Sporting Director Barthelemy Constantin in the Face at a Party
Mario Balotelli, the Italian striker who signed a two-year deal with Swiss side FC Sion at the beginning of the season, has caused trouble off the pitch and netted just six times in 18 games. One of those off-field issues occurred when he attended a party with club chief Constantin, during which Balotelli allegedly punched Constantin in the face. The incident took place while the pair were dressed as Pokemon character Pikachu and TV personality House of Money. Constantin reportedly tried to break up the scuffle, but was inadvertently punched by Balotelli. The following week, Constantin was sat on the bench with a bloodshot eye as he watched Sion lose to St. Gallen. Sion has gone on to suffer relegation down to the second tier of Swiss football after winning just seven of their 36 league games.
Balotelli’s Days with FC Sion are Numbered
Balotelli’s days with FC Sion look to be numbered after he reportedly refused to come back out for the second half of a match against Servette last month. Fans subsequently set fire to Balotelli’s jersey in the stands. At the end of the campaign, president Christian Constantin did not pull any punches in his assessment of the striker. He said: “Mario has not given us back the trust placed in him, nor rewarded for the great efforts we have made. This boy considers that the rules that govern a collective are above all made for others. If agents find it in their interest to place him in a country that doesn’t value money as much as we do, maybe he’ll play again soon. Or not. Maybe it’s better that way.”
Balotelli Turns to Punditry
Balotelli was a part of BT Sport’s Champions League final coverage on Saturday night as he turned his hand to punditry for the clash between two of his former clubs. He claimed Erling Haaland “learnt good” from him after a video emerged of the Norwegian wearing Balotelli’s No45 as a young boy.
Conclusion
Mario Balotelli’s time with FC Sion has been tumultuous, with off-field issues and poor performance on the pitch. The incident where he accidentally punched FC Sion sporting director Barthelemy Constantin in the face at a party dressed as Pokemon character Pikachu and TV personality House of Money is just one example of the trouble he has caused. With Sion suffering relegation down to the second tier of Swiss football and Balotelli reportedly refusing to come back out for the second half of a match, it seems that his days with the club are numbered. However, Balotelli has turned to punditry and made an appearance on BT Sport’s Champions League final coverage, claiming that Erling Haaland “learnt good” from him after a video emerged of the Norwegian wearing Balotelli’s No45 as a young boy.