Mario Balotelli is unlikely to
serve a suspension for his red card in Nice's victory over Lorient after
the referee admitted he made an error.
The
striker has made a stunning start to his career in Ligue 1 after being
rescued from his Liverpool nightmare on the final day of the transfer
window.
Balotelli has scored six goals in five
appearances in all competitions for leaders Nice since arriving in
France, the latest an 86th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory on
Sunday.
However, his match-winning display was overshadowed by two late bookings from referee Olivier Thual.
His
first card came as he celebrated his superb strike as he whipped off
his shirt, while the second that duly produced a red following an
altercation with Steven Moreira.
Neither player
appeared to do anything wrong, though, and Thual has acknowledged his
decision was wrong, meaning Balotelli is unlikely to be banned.
"Olivier Thual has watched the match," Pascal Garibian, technical director of refereeing, explained to L'Equipe.
"Of
course, he agreed that the two yellow cards were rushed and shouldn't
have been given. The referee is available to the disciplinary committee
to say this on record.
"Then it will be up to them to judge if further action is needed."
The
disciplinary committee will discuss Balotelli's case on Thursday, with
Nice hoping he will be exonerated and become available for the visit of
Lyon after the international break.
Balotelli will
have a rest ahead of that match after being overlooked by Giampiero
Ventura for his latest Italy squad, but Marco Verratti expects him to be
back in contention if he maintains his current form.
"He's still young and can give a lot to the national team," the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder told Rai Sport.
"I knew Mario would be reborn in France.
"Of
course, four or five games isn't enough, it takes consistency. I hope
he finds himself in Nice, because a player like him can help the
national team."
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