Mario Balotelli will take Manchester City to an appeals tribunal this week over a hefty fine imposed for persistent on-field ill-discipline amid signs that Roberto Mancini's patience with his volatile striker may be close to breaking point.
The 22-year-old was fined two weeks' wages, around £350,000, after a series of red and yellow cards led to him missing about a fifth of City's games last season when they won the league title. His appeal against the fine was rejected by City and Balotelli will put his case to a Premier League tribunal on Wednesday.
Mancini has had mixed success with his tough love towards a player he bought from Internazionale in 2010 for £24m. He has praised Balotelli's skill and potential while frequently criticising him for his behaviour. Balotelli did not travel to Newcastle for Saturday's 3-1 win at St James' Park, instead staying in Manchester to train alone.
His manager insisted "Mario still has a big part to play this season" but added: "To get back into the team he needs to work in training and, when he plays, he needs to play well." The striker's peripheral performances this season and his continuing problems with authority increase the chances that City will try to offload him in the January transfer window.
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