[BANKSY]

BaLOLtelli strikes again:

Italian striker Mario Balotelli will face Manchester City at a Premier League tribunal in London on Wednesday.
Balotelli is fighting City's decision to fine him two weeks' wages for his poor disciplinary record last season.
The 22-year-old missed 11 games domestically and in Europe last season because of suspensions.
Balotelli appealed against the decision but an independent panel of City's board upheld the penalty. The case will now be heard by a three-man panel.
The striker is expected to appear in person, along with his Italian lawyer and a representative from the Professional Footballers' Association, while City will bring their legal team.

A two-week fine is the maximum penalty stipulated in standard player contracts and, although City refused to comment on the case, they are privately confident of winning.
It is unusual for internal disputes between clubs and their players to go to a Premier League tribunal. The PFA has advised the player throughout and its chief executive, Gordon Taylor, told BBC Sport: "We try to avoid situations like this wherever possible, but the player and club have not been able to resolve this situation."
City began the disciplinary process after Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal in April 2012.

Balotelli suspensions 2011-12
v Dynamo Kiev (March 2011): sent off for flying tackle on Goran Popov. Given four -match ban, meaning he missed first three Champions League games of 2011-12.
v Spurs (January 2012): retrospective red for stamp on Scott Parker. Four -game ban.
v Arsenal (April 2012): sent off for two yellows, including tackle on Alex Song. Three -game ban.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20756755

[Kiz]

he's beyond saving now. off in jan. fighting a 2 week fine when you're filthy rich? and a fine that is perfectly reasonable too.

interesting to see we've backed safe standing.

[BANKSY]

I don't get what his argument is . That he should be able to act like a moron on the pitch and not have to face the repercussions?

[Kiz]

apparently so. even bobby wants him out apparently. this is just the final nail in the coffin. apparently we're trying to get it done early so we can sell him off asap. had too many chances. so talented, yet so so stupid. hoped the euro experience would make him grow up. evidently not. makes two class managers in jose and bobby to lose faith in him. what next?

[Seabs]

Should have cut your losses on him in the summer tbf. Even the fans have given up on him now.

[WOOLCOCK]

Originally Posted by SANTA SNRUB

interesting to see we've backed safe standing.

On the one hand it makes sense. The corners opposite both sides of the away end have been designated 'singing areas' for a couple of seasons now and stewarding seems to have been relaxed in those sections compared to other areas of the ground. Think I read not long ago that the higher ups encouraged the relaxed stewarding in both sections after seeing no problems.

That being said its still a surprise to see a Premier League club so openly back it. Only Villa prior had gone on record despite comments from executives at other clubs teasing their backing (Gold and Brady at West Ham said they were 'open' to the idea at the Olympic stadium, and some exec from Sunderland was on about supporting it in some way). At the end of the day the only calls being made are for small trials in certain sections of the ground and more discussion to be had regarding converting parts of a ground to rail seating and the costs involved.

Problem is its such a contentious topic that the likes of Politicians and Club Officials in general seem to be hesitant in openly admitting their support, instead generally to sitting on the fence and encouraging debate on the matter.

Apparently United have said the current design of parts of Old Trafford means it can't be converted into whatever model fans are proposing, and on that basis haven't backed it.

[Kiz]

nah, there was still a glimmer of hope. the assist for the biggest goal in prem history, an impressive euros, improving attitude, scoring goals, and then it all fell apart again. now he's not scoring, being lazier, going out more, training poorly, being left out of squads altogether, and now taking us to a tribunal over a very small and perfectly reasonable fine? you don't do that and stay at a club. his saving grace was bobby. that's now all but gone.

[united_07]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...s-8422571.html



Great decision to hold the World Cup there in 2018

[I got 2 words 4 ya]

Originally Posted by SANTA SNRUB

apparently so. even bobby wants him out apparently. this is just the final nail in the coffin. apparently we're trying to get it done early so we can sell him off asap. had too many chances. so talented, yet so so stupid. hoped the euro experience would make him grow up. evidently not. makes two class managers in jose and bobby to lose faith in him. what next?

You know him so well you can call him bobby??Sound!!

[Kiz]

yeah, we tight