Controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is facing an internal investigation and possible disciplinary action from the English Premier League club after he missed curfew ahead of Monday's clash with Chelsea.
The 21-year-old Italian was spotted in Manchester restaurant Zouk in the early hours of Sunday despite team rules stating players cannot go out within 48 hours of key fixtures, The Guardian reported.
City confirmed the curfew was in place. Balotelli, who reportedly was not drinking, is set to meet with manager Roberto Mancini to explain his actions.
Balotelli has made headlines for a raft of unusual reasons since joining City, including a sideline bust-up with Mancini during a preseason game in LA; being interviewed by the public prosecutor in Naples over links to the local mafia; a blaze at his home caused by fireworks being let off in his bathroom; turning his backyard into a go-kart track; and being spotted on a date with a porn actress.
Mancini has expressed concern that Balotelli will not fulfill his potential because he does not take the game seriously enough and joked that he might be better served having the striker move into his basement so he can keep a closer watch on him.
