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Liverpool FC striker Mario Balotelli has submitted his response to the Football Association as he attempts to avoid a suspension for a controversial post on social media.

The Italy international had until 6pm on Friday to provide the FA with an explanation for the picture he put on his Instagram account earlier this week.

It was an image from the computer game Super Mario with the heading 'Don't be a racist'.

The text then read: 'Be like Mario. He's an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican' and went on to describe a black man and a Jewish person.

Balotelli subsequently apologised on Twitter as he insisted the image was meant to be ‘anti-racist with humour’ but accepted that 'out of context it may have the opposite effect'.

The 24-year-old has explained that to the FA and he has also provided them with examples of the racial abuse he has had to endure on social media sites.

The FA must decide whether to charge Balotelli, who if found guilty of a breach of the rules could be banned for up to five matches. Their decision is unlikely to be announced until next week.