Race row over Balotelli cartoon

Anti-racism campaigners have blasted a cartoon in an Italian newspaper depicting Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli as King Kong.

Mario Balotelli and the cartoon that has caused a stir

The Italian forward is reported to be deeply unhappy at the cartoon and the Gazzetta dello Sport has apologised.
A spokesman for anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said: "Mario's very presence in the Italian team is symbolic on so many levels. The Italian media ought to champion this individual rather than singling him out as a scapegoat and somehow inferior to his international team-mates."

The drawing - published on the day of Italy's Euro 2012 meeting with England - showed Balotelli on top of Big Ben in a reference to King Kong on New York's Empire State Building. It has led to a number of complaints from readers prompting the newspaper to apologise.
A statement from Gazzetta read: "Some of our readers have protested regarding (Valerio) Marini's cartoon.
"Balotelli was depicted as King Kong. We can honestly say it was not among the best products of our talented cartoonist.
"At this time, a measure of prudence and good taste are necessary because everything, absolutely everything, can be misinterpreted.
"The newspaper is for those who read it and hence, if certain readers found the cartoon offensive, we apologise.


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