Balotelli breaks City curfew

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli looks set to face disciplinary action after breaking curfew ahead of Monday’s trip to Chelsea.

Balotelli was seen in ‘Zouk’, a restaurant in the centre of Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning, despite instructions from the English Premier League leaders not to go out within 48 hours of the game at Stamford Bridge.

City have confirmed that a curfew was in place and Balotelli will be expected to offer an explanation to manager Roberto Mancini.

The striker was not drinking, but was out beyond 1am, violating the curfew set out by the Italian boss.

The 21-year-old has been the source of much scrutiny in the media in recent months, infamously setting his house on fire with a firework the day before City’s 6-1 romp over rivals Manchester United in October.