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Mario Balotelli suffers racial abuse in France

Football fans at a match in Corsica, France, made monkey noises as Italian striker Mario Balotelli played on the field, according to the footballer, who is black.

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Although Bastia said Saturday it was not aware of any such abuse taking place, the Corsican club added that it was at the LFP's disposal 'so that all light is shed' on 'this type of behavior, which is by nature stupid and unacceptable.'

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Early on Saturday, Balotelli wrote about the abuse he suffered on his Instagram and Twitter pages.

'Is it normal that Bastia supporters make monkey noise (and) `uh' `uh' for the whole game and no one of the `commissions discipline' say nothing?' Balotelli wrote, referencing the LFP's disciplinary committee.

'So is racism legal in France? Or only in Bastia? Football is an amazing sport. Those people like Bastia supporters make it horrible!'

Nice have also issued a statement to condemn the abuse of the Balotelli by the fans of Bastia

"Nice, which already had stones thrown at its bus before the game, is outraged by what happened to its players on Friday night, and in particular to Mario Balotelli," the club said in a statement.

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The incident was not Balotelli's first experience battling against racist fans. The player was subject to racial abuse by Roma fans when he played with AC Milan in 2013.

Ligue 1 had deducted two points from Bastia in the 2007-2008 season following a similar incident where fans reportedly racially abused Boubacar Kebe, a player from Burkina Faso.

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Balotelli, 26, joined OGC Nice from Liverpool in August, and has helped the club improve overall league results after scoring eight league goals in 10 matches.

OGC Nice is currently top of the Ligue 1, with 46 points from a total of 21 games, while Corsica's Bastia are in 15th place, with 21 points in comparison.

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