Balotelli speaks out after racial abuse by Emirati soccer fans

Ex-Inter, Man City and Italy player Mario Balotelli says he was racially abused by fans in UAE. Balotelli currently plays for Saudi team Al-Ittifaq.

The player said:

This kind of behaviour cannot be normalised, excused, or ignored. I’m speaking out to bring awareness – not just for myself, but for every player who has been subjected to this. Enough is enough.

He added:

I’ve always condemned all acts of racism, but I didn’t expect it here. I hope serious measures are taken to prevent this from happening again.

The Independent said neither Al-Ittifaq nor their UAE opponents on the day have commented. Balotelli played for Inter and AC Milan, Man City, Liverpool and other clubs before joining the Saudi team.

Racism in football reflects society

Football writer Valerio Moggia said racism was common in the Saudi league. In a July 2025 blog, he wrote about racism experienced by Brazilian winger Malcolm:

Malcom was seen having a confrontation with some fans at the stadium, at the end of the match. Videos of this argument circulated online, causing critics for the Brazilian’s behaviour towards fans: the player’s Instagram account was stormed by angry people, and some of them have resorted to racist epithets, calling him “monkey”.

Moggia said:

Gulf countries are not usually linked to racial discrimination’s episodes, seen as a mostly Western issue. But a closer look to Saudi society reveal that ethnic and religious biases are very common, even between Saudi citizens.

His excellent study of racism in Saudi soccer can be read here.

Career-long abuse

Balotelli endured racism throughout his career. Born in Palermo to Ghanian parents, the mercurial forward played on the biggest stages and won the Premier League with Manchester City.

Goal.com collated just some of the incidents he endured in a 2018 piece:

His mere presence in the Azzurrini [Italy} squad had already provoked fury among contributors to forums on right-wing sites such as Stormfront and White Front.

They added:

In April 2009, Balotelli was racially abused by Juventus fans throughout Inter’s 1-1 draw with the Bianconeri in Turin. “There are no black Italians,” they sang.

Abuse from Spain and Croatia fans continued at Euro 2012. In his recent time in France, at Nice, it was still happening.

At 35, Balotelli is nearing the end of his career. At virtually every stage he’s faced racism which he has vocally stood up against. Football markets itself as the global game. Going into World Cup 2026 — Donald Trump’s world cup — racism is still wrecking the game and the culture.

Featured image via the Canary