Manchester City bad boy Mario Balotelli has decided to back out from challenging a 340,000 pound club fine at a Premier League tribunal, in bid to salvage his career at the club.
The Italian's agent, Mino Raiola, said last night that the 22-year-old was determined to fix things with manager Roberto Mancini and a City coaching staff who are increasingly skeptical about the manager's faith in him.
However, Balotelli's career prospects at the club are as of now hanging by a thread and the striker was persuaded that they would have been damaged irreparably had he allowed a QC to proceed yesterday with an appeal against the club's decision to fine him two weeks' wages, The Independent reports.
"Mario is committed to City. He doesn't want to leave the club. He's always wanted to stay and this [case] hasn't changed this. He is committed in Manchester," Raiola said.
According to the paper, a joint statement issued between the club and his representatives was notable for Balotelli's assertion that he had stood down "as a sign of respect for Roberto Mancini" - now his only ally at City.
"After amicable talks between the parties, as a sign of respect for Roberto Mancini, the supporters and the club, Mario Balotelli has chosen to accept a two-week fine levied upon him by the club and withdraw his disciplinary appeal, which was due to be heard by a Premier League panel. Mario remains available for selection for all forthcoming fixtures," the statement read.
City are vindicated for their punishment of a player who has brought their club into disrepute and missed 21.7 per cent of last season's games through suspension, the paper said.
But it is understood that the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has pointed out to the club that they would be far better served operating within the guidelines agreed between the PFA, clubs and the Premier League, rather than going outside of those parameters, as they have in the cases of Balotelli and Carlos Tevez, it added. (ANI)
