Mario exit comments clarified

Balotelli has been hit with a Football Association charge of violent conduct following an apparent stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker during Sunday's 3-2 win and is facing a four-match ban.

His agent, Mino Raiola, earlier said he would be prepared to pull the 21-year-old out of the club if he thought he was being persecuted.

But, speaking to Sky Sports, Raiola played down talk of a January exit, insisting the controversial Italian is happy at City.

"We are not looking at all to move - not this year and not next year," he said. "We have the idea with Mario that he wants to stay in the Premier League for a long time.

"For sure not this transfer window. It's not our intention, let that be clear, we don't want to leave.

"The club is fantastic and Mario loves it. He's starting to really feel at home.

"So (the FA charge) comes at a very bad time. But if every week some referee wants to get at Mario then maybe we'll have to say that's enough and maybe have to see our luck in another country."

City assistant boss David Platt has hinted the club may accept Balotelli's ban rather than appeal and that is also Raiola's feeling.

"I cannot talk for the club but my understanding is they're afraid of extending his suspension and they'd rather leave it like this," he added.

"That's what my feeling is. I think the club still has time to think about it. It's up to them but if it were up to us we would appeal it."