iSub
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli risked the wrath of Italy coach Cesare Prandelli after being caught playing with his iPad on the substitutes’ bench for their match against the Faroe Island.
Balotelli, a dab hand at benchwarming so far this season, decided to shun watching his team-mates in action in favour of some action on his tablet.
Italy’s team manager Luigi Riva played down reports that Prandelli was furious with Balotelli’s behaviour.
He said: “Let’s not create a problem where there is none,’ Riva said after the 1-0 victory.
‘He only played a few minutes against the Faroe Islands so he couldn’t do much.
“But in every training, Mario gives his best.”
Despite being more engrossed in Angry Birds than the first 84 minutes of the match, Balotelli made a six-minute cameo at the end of the game.
