Italian fans taunt their own players

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Balotelli, who was born in Italy but is of Ghanian descent, was booed every time he touched the ball, with the taunts coming from a group of about 100 extreme right-wing Italian fans at the match in Austria.

“If I have to talk about this every time I play I can’t go on, let the others play,” Balotelli said. “These people need to change but that’s not up to me.”

Fans also taunted Italy midfielder Cristian Ledesma, who was born in Argentina and made his first appearance for the Azzurri, with chants and a banner that read, “No to a multiethnic Italy.”

“This national team is open to anyone who is an Italian citizen,” Prandelli said. “This is a very sad story. We need to remember that this is the country from which millions of people emigrated over the last century.

“I gave Balotelli a hug (when he exited in the second half) and next time we all will,” Prandelli added.

Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete called the fans’ behavior “unacceptable.”

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