Balotelli needs to be taught a lesson

Robert Frost, the American poet, once wrote that education is the ability to face almost anything without losing your temper.

That being the case, Mario Balotelli needs to go back to school.

The 21 year old's apparent stamp on the head of the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker on Sunday - the latest in a lengthening line of malicious misdemeanours - was as petulant as it was savage.

There is little doubt that, had Howard Webb, the referee, seen the incident, Balotelli would have been dismissed for the fourth time in just 32 games.

The Manchester City striker, who was booked within 13 minutes of his introduction as a second-half substitute, may now face a retrospective four-match ban and a possible fine for his actions, but as Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager, said in his post-match news conference: "What happens now doesn't interest me".

The outcome of a potential English Football Association investigation is likely not a concern to Redknapp because Balotelli has already left his mark on Spurs' title challenge, as well as Parker's head.

With an eight-point gap now apparent courtesy of the former Inter Milan forward's 95th minute penalty, the north London side's aspirations of a first title since 1961 are all but finished.

Had Balotelli seen a red card as well as a red mist, the result might have been different.

Of course, it might not have and we will never know either way, but it certainly would not have been the first time his actions lumped further strain on his teammates.

Roberto Mancini, the City manager, will know he has benefited from arguably Webb's biggest blunder since failing to send off Nigel de Jong at the 2010 World Cup final.

Having allegedly dressed up as Santa Claus in December and handed out wads of cash to the public, Balotelli was said to have earlier this month volunteered to pay off all the outstanding library fines owed by students at the University of Manchester.

Such tales are the reason why Redknapp was asked whether he thought the Italian to be a "loveable eccentric".

"What do you think?" replied the Englishman, exasperated. "He's nothing to do with me. It's up to their manager."

How Mancini deals with Balotelli could be crucial in the Manchester club's push for the title. Giving his player an education in how to keep his temper in check when faced with frustration would be a perfect place to start.

gmeenaghan@thenational.ae