Mario Balotelli has been victimised by referees, says agent

Should hints coming out of the club yesterday that they will not contest a Football Association charge for violent conduct prove correct, the maverick Italian striker will begin a four-match suspension tonight.

The charge, relating to his clash with Scott Parker in Sunday's Premier League defeat of Tottenham, led to suggestions from agent Mino Raiola that the player feels victimised.

Raiola has also strongly criticised referee Howard Webb over the incident.

But after losing in a recent appeal against a red card for captain Vincent Kompany, City are unsure a challenge would succeed.

First-team coach David Platt said: "The likelihood
is we will be without Mario for the next four games.

"When he is available again we will utilise him to help achieve what we want to achieve this season."

Balotelli, 21, has been at the centre of a number of controversies since his £24million arrival from Inter Milan in August 2010 and Raiola has claimed his reputation could be counting against him.

Raiola, in one of series of interviews yesterday, told Sky Sports News: "Mario feels very uncomfortable. He is really disappointed and thinks it's unjust.

"He feels he is being judged more harshly than the rest by the referees. It's clear whatever he does... maybe other people get away with it."

Raiola said his client, who has also been sent off three times in his City career, does not want to leave the club but could be driven to do so.

He said: "He would love to stay in the Premier League for a long time and won't move this transfer window, for sure. It's not our intention, let that be clear.

"It's fantastic, he loves it and feels at home.
"But if every week some referee [does this] with Mario, maybe you say, 'That's enough' and he goes to another country."

Balotelli was charged after Webb told the FA he did not see his boot catch Parker's head as he landed after a challenge in City's dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Raiola said: "I find it very strange that Mr Webb can really claim that he didn't see.

"I'm really mad and I think the Football Association should send this referee to the optician. If you don't see what happens one metre away, what do you see?"

City have until 6pm this evening to announce whether they intend to appeal.

If they do not, his suspension will begin with tonight's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield. He would also miss league games against Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa.