Lippi backing for Balotelli

(GSM) – Italy national coach Marcello Lipp has offered his support to Mario Balotelli after he was excluded from Internazionale’s squad for tonight’s match against Chelsea.

Balotelli reportedly clashed with Jose Mourinho at training yesterday, which proved the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Mourinho had already left him out of Friday’s match against Catania. The official line was that Balotelli had a knee injury, but it was widely reported that he had argued with Mourinho over his fitness before, during and after last week’s draw with Genoa.

“Balotelli is a lad who has great gifts. I am sure, certain even, that when he matures, he could carry the good he is doing for Inter into the Italy squad,” Lippi said.

Asked if Balotelli’s progress in Italy is hindered by the racist abuse he sometimes receives from the stands, Lippi said: “Everyone knows that I am against any kind of racism. Only one race exists and that’s the human race.

“But a Coach can’t call players up for this reason. Balotelli is playing calmly for the Under-21s together with Okaka and Ogbonna.

“I will call them up when I feel the time is right. I will make decisions only and exclusively on account of technical questions, not racial ones.”