Balotelli was 'disrespectful'

Manchester City's Mario Balotelli, centre, is pushed away by Manchester United's Anderson after their 1-0 English FA Cup soccer semi final match win against Manchester United at Wembley stadium, London, Saturday.

This is the celebration that so enraged Rio Ferdinand and Manchester United.

They accused City's Mario Balotelli of being disrespectful after he waved his shirt in front of the United fans at Wembley after Roberto Mancini's men won the all-Manchester semi-final 1-0.

Now FA chiefs will decide today whether to take action over the on-pitch bust-up which it sparked on Saturday.

Both clubs are sweating on whether ref Mike Dean includes the incidents in his report.

Balotelli was branded 'disrespectful' by United winger Nani.The Italian striker was shoved by Anderson, who also then manhandled City coach David Platt as he tried to intervene.

Nani said: "He was showing his badge to our fans. Anderson just took him out from in front of our fans.

"Rio was very angry because it is not fair, it was very disrespectful to do that in front of the fans. We were not happy."

Balotelli then gave Ferdinand a mouthful and enraged him further by winking at the former England skipper. That led to Ferdinand swearing and pointing his finger at Platt.

Ferdinand tweeted yesterday: "If u score a goal and give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that. But at the final whistle go to your own fans and enjoy it - not opposing fans."

City boss Roberto Mancinisaid: "I don't think they are serious things." - www.thesun.co.uk