FILE PHOTO: Manchester City's Mario Balotelli (L) laughs with manager Roberto Mancini as he prepares to come on as a substitute during their FA Cup soccer match against Watford at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England January 5, 2013. REUTERS/Phil Noble
(Reuters) - Italy coach Roberto Mancini has said he will only call up Mario Balotelli if he deserves it for football reasons, not to make a statement against racism.
Balotelli, who has not played for Italy since September 2018, kicked the ball towards opposition fans and threatened to walk off the pitch after being subjected to racist insults from the crowd during Brescia's Serie A match against Hellas Verona earlier this month.
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