We (NU-Mad) commented yesterday:
Sky Sports claim "you either love him or hate him" ... well put me in the latter category.
I will never forget how he scored a penalty against Tim Krul earlier this season, then folded his arms, walked up to the Dutch goalkeeper and went eye-ball to eye-ball ... as if to say "Aren't I fabulous ... I've beaten you from 12 yards".
What a prick!
The 21-year-old has until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge, which relates to an incident in which he kicked Scott Parker's head Sunday's 3-2 Premier League win over Tottenham.
An FA statement read: "The FA has today charged Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in his side's home game against Tottenham Hotspur.
"Balotelli was involved in an incident with Tottenham's Scott Parker during Manchester City's 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 22 January 2012.
"Balotelli has until 6pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012 to respond to the charge."
Harry Redknapp: "I don't like people kicking other people in the head on a football pitch.
"It is not something I understand. Why should he go and back-heel someone in the head when he is on the floor?"
If he accepts the charge, Balotelli would also miss the Premier League trips to Everton and Aston Villa, plus the home encounter with Fulham on February 4.
It is the latest in a long line of disciplinary issues involving Balotelli since his arrival from Inter Milan at the beginning of last season.
On Sky, former Toon manager Graeme Souness described Balotelli as "a car crash waiting to happen", indicating the 21-year-old could cost City the title.
Balotelli has been sent off three times in his fledgling City career and was branded "stupid" by Mancini following the second of those, against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last season.
There have been other off-field incidents that have sometimes even led to City supporters questioning Balotelli's contribution, not least the incident in October when fire crews were called to his house in Cheshire when he attempted to set off fireworks in his bathroom.