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Balotelli's return to Italian national team troubled by red cards

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

Italian striker Mario Balotelli, who has scored nine league goals so far for Ligue 1 side Nice, may expect his return to the national team to be troubled by his three red cards this season.

Gabriele Oriali, team manager of Italy, on Tuesday emphasized once again the team's code of ethics in front of reporters.

"There are a few clear rules that must be respected, then the rules that clubs have," said Oriali. "Mario's possibility of returning to the national squad depends on himself."

Balotelli received his third red card of the season in a 1-0 road victory over Lorient last weekend, although his first, also against the bottom-ranked team last October, was later overturned.

He will miss Friday's home clash with Montpellier, along with the team's top scorer Alassane Plea, who is sidelined for the rest of the season due to knee injury.

Balotelli had his last appearance for the Azzurri at FIFA World Cup in 2014. Endit