Mancini: Mario spat 'nothing special'

MANCHESTER

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has played down his latest confrontation with controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

Mancini was yesterday photographed grappling with his fellow Italian in a training ground bust-up but the City boss insists the matter was not serious.

Mancini, speaking at a press conference to preview this weekend's FA Cup third-round clash with Watford, said: "I think the photos show the worst of what happened.

"It was nothing special. There was no fight, this was not true."

The incident occurred after a bad tackle by Balotelli on Scott Sinclair during a training match.

Mancini said: "We were playing a game and Mario kicked his team-mate.

"I said to him, 'Go inside, leave the pitch'. He said no and I took his shirt and pushed him out of the pitch.

"This is what really happened, nothing special."

When asked if he lost his temper, Mancini said: "No, no. For two seconds, yes - during three or four seconds because he didn't want to leave the pitch.

"He can't do this against no one, but then it was finished."