Mario Balotelli transfer to AC Milan sparks clashes between fans and riot police

 
Violence erupted after the ex-Manchester City ace danced with fans of his new Italian club AC Milan.

But the revellers, excited by his arrival, then clashed with police — pelting them with bottles and rocks. Cops responded by firing tear gas.




Balotelli, 22, was mobbed at a Milan restaurant where he was dining with club chiefs.

The fans celebrated when he and chairman Adriano Galliani joined them outside to sing “He who doesn’t jump is nerazzurro (an Inter fan)” — referring to Milan’s bitter rivals.


But 30 minutes later, the club’s fanatical Ultras clashed with cops as they tried to move on the 500-
strong crowd.




One fan had blood streaming from his head and a cop was also taken to hospital. The trouble didn’t
phase the controversial £19.5million striker, who stayed in the restaurant eating pasta and fried fish.


On moving back to Italy, Balotelli said: “I’d wanted to play for Milan for such a long time.
“Obviously I played for other teams and couldn’t come. But when there was the chance, I ran.”

Galliani added: "It is a dream come true and something that we all wanted, with the president Silvio Berlusconi at the forefront.

“With the arrival of Mario, we have strengthened our team a lot.

“We have worked so hard and Mario has been in our hearts for a long time and finally we have succeeded in signing him.”