Mario Balotelli walks off pitch following racist abuse as Brescia’s game in Verona suspended

MARIO BALOTELLI has stormed off the pitch after receiving vile racist abuse during Brescia's game in Verona.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker, 29, had heard enough following chants from the Hellas Verona supporters and a statement was read in the ground before play continued.

Balotelli had to be convinced by Brescia team-mates and Verona players to remain on the pitch.

But referee Maurizio Mariani asked stadium announcers to read a statement to fans about their behaviour before play continued.

The incident was sparked when a fed-up Balotelli picked up the ball while it was on the pitch.

He quickly smashed it toward the stands where the racist chants were coming from and made a gesture towards supporters.

Verona players confronted him and the referee for kicking the ball out of play and into the stands.

MOST READ IN FOOTBALL

PREM LATEST

Jota LEVELS for Liverpool, James scores in injury time, Man City DRAW

RED OR DEAD?

Man Utd have put nearly every player up for sale - so who should stay and go?

BET SCANDAL

Sevilla ace faces 3 years in jail as he's 'arrested for deliberate bookings'

PEP TALK

Inside Pep’s £100m empire - from £2.7m pad to ‘wrecked’ £460k car collection

But Balotelli appeared to be determined to storm off the field.

After being convinced to stay on, he was booked and Verona went 2-0 up after goal from Salcedo Mora and Matteo Pessina.

Yet Balotelli also gave the perfect response to his abusers by scoring for Brescia, but he could not help them claw back a draw and they lost 2-1.