Brescia to terminate Balotelli's contract for missing training - reports
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Mario Balotelli (R) angry over racist chants during the Italian Serie A match between Hellas Verona and his team Brescia at Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium in Verona, Italy, November 3, 2019.

Mario Balotelli (R) angry over racist chants during the Italian Serie A match between Hellas Verona and his team Brescia at Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium in Verona, Italy, November 3, 2019.

Struggling Italian side Brescia are set to terminate Mario Balotelli’s contract after the striker failed to return to training ahead of Serie A’s restart later this month, Italian media reported on Saturday.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool player joined the newly promoted side last year in a deal that was to see him stay for three years.

Last month, Brescia president Massimo Cellino said the club made a mistake in signing Balotelli and admitted the former Italy striker was not expected to remain with the club beyond the current season should they be relegated.

“I think we both made a mistake. I thought that coming to Brescia, which is his town, would commit him very much,” Cellino said.

Brescia are currently ranked last in the Serie A with a meagre 16 points from 26 games. The Biancazzurri have only managed four wins in their run, picking up 18 losses in the process.

With his five goals, Balotelli is the side’s top scorer, managing a goal every 282 minutes.

Sky Sports reports that Balotelli was offered a consensual termination, which he refused, and the club then sent a letter to his lawyer saying his contract would be ended.

Serie A was suspended in March following the outbreak of COVID-19, but is now scheduled to resume on June 20.