LONDON, March 29 – Manchester City are investigating reports that troublesome Italian striker Mario Balotelli threw a dart at youth-team players, according to a report by British daily The Independent on Monday.
Balotelli is alleged to have thrown "at least one dart" at members of City’s youth squad at the club’s Carrington training centre, but his intended targets are reported to have escaped unhurt.
"City are yet to establish a full understanding of why Balotelli threw the dart and will give him the chance to offer an explanation before deciding what action to take," wrote The Independent.
"Manager Roberto Mancini will also need to be brought up to speed with the incident, as he has been away from the club.
"He will seek an explanation from the 20-year-old striker before discussing the incident with senior executives at the club."
Balotelli has been a recurrent source of controversy since joining City from reigning Italian champions Inter Milan last year.
He was dropped from the Italy squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia last week after being sent off for a chest-high foul on an opponent in a Europa League game between City and Dynamo Kiev.
