Brescia release statement pledging legal action against Balotelli and Raiola

Brescia released a statement pledging legal action against Mario Balotelli and Mino Raiola for ‘false and slanderous accusations’ that they prevented the striker taking COVID-19 tests.

Raiola told reporters today that Balotelli was “discriminated against” and had not been given a single swab to test for coronavirus, unlike the rest of the squad.

This is seen as a reason for leaving him separate from his teammates, where he has been training alone after hours and on a different pitch.

Balotelli wrote on his Instagram Stories today that it was “all true!”

This evening, Brescia released a statement confirming that the FIGC inspection of their medical staff would be extended by another day.

“It is important to underline that, apparently, this extended inspection will happen following the false and slanderous accusations of irresponsible people, published this morning in the media.

“On this specific issue, we have instructed our lawyers to take action against those who made these false accusations.

“Brescia wish to clarify that we respected the medical protocol to the letter and even privately hired a full-time specialist (at real expense) to deal with any possible health emergencies linked to COVID-19.

“Being accused of not respecting the rules, by one of our players no less, is shameful slander and those who said it will pay (both in economic and image terms) in the opportune venues, so we can protect the work and sacrifices of this club.

“Unfortunately, as we all know, the irresponsible behaviour of an individual can create serious risks for everyone involved, so we’ll be forced to enact even more rigid measures to protect the club and its representatives.”