Mario Balotelli in f-word rant after Nice lose to Marseille

Mario Balotelli was caught on camera cursing the referee in an expletive-laden rant on Sunday.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City forward, who looks all set to leaver Nice at the end of the season, was caught by Canal+ cameras swearing, with “french referees” the subject of his rant.

Balotelli, who scored in the first-half of yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Marseille, was not happy with some of the officiating in the first 45 minutes at the Stade Velodrome.

The striker, who is available on a free transfer next month, was booked for a first-half lunge on Marseille’s Bouna Sarr.

And as he left the pitch at half-time, Balotelli was caught by the cameras, saying in English: “Every time, f***** French referees, every time.”

That may well be the 27-year-old’s last game for Nice with retrospective action hanging over the head of the Italian.

In March the striker’s agent Mino Raiola claimed Balotelli would be a summer “bargain” for someone, with negotiations already underway with English and Italian clubs.

“Mario is ready to return,” Raiola told RAI. “He’s matured and he’s one of the top ten forwards in the world, and he’s the No. 1 in Italy. He’s worth €100 million, but he’s available on a free, so he’s a bargain.

“I’m already negotiating with many clubs in England and Italy. I’ve spoken with Juve, Roma, Napoli and Inter, but not Milan since they have [sporting director Massimiliano] Mirabelli and I’m not on his same level.”

Balotelli has blasted 23 goals for Nice this term, on the back of a 17-goal season for Lucien Favre’s men last season.