Balotelli racially abused on Twitter

LIVERPOOL — Mario Balotelli, the Liverpool striker, is the latest high-profile footballer to suffer racist abuse on social networking site Twitter.

Merseyside Police said it is investigating the comments aimed at Balotelli on the social network after he mocked Manchester United for their 5-3 defeat by Leicester City on Sunday. The Italian, 24, tweeted “Man Utd ... LOL” to his followers.

There was little doubt that the tweet would rile United fans, especially as Balotelli has now played for their most heated rivals, in Manchester City and Liverpool.

The comment was retweeted more than 150,000 times, but many of the comments in response were racist and included the slur “monkey”, provoking further outrage and the police investigation.

Many of those responsible have since closed down their accounts, but the culprits are often traceable with the assistance of Internet providers.

The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has also intervened. It wrote: “Kick It Out is aware of racist tweets directed @FinallyMario and will be reporting to the authorities. Thanks to all who have alerted us.”

Many high-profile personalities have suffered racist, sexist and homophobic abuse on the social network. Victims have included footballers, although in the past British police criticised Twitter for failing to hand over information about offenders.

Balotelli has been subject to abuse in the past. Italy fans heckled him during a training camp in the build-up to the summer’s World Cup finals and he was racially abused on several occasions while playing in Serie A, firstly, at Inter Milan and again later at AC Milan. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH