Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini (R) talks with Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Norwich City at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on December 3, 2011. Balotelli could be in hot water again as he broke a team curfew ahead of Monday's key clash with Chelsea. Getty Images/ANDREW YATESANDREW YATES/Getty Images
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli faces an internal investigation after breaking team curfew rules ahead of Monday's key English Premier League clash with Chelsea.
English newspaper The Guardian is reporting that the Italian international can expect to be summoned by Citizen's manager Roberto Mancini for an explanation to the latest incident.
The 21-year-old was spotted in a Manchester restaurant in the early hours of Sunday despite clear instructions by the club not to go out within 48 hours of the key fixture.
Manchester United can close City's premiership lead to three points if Chelsea wins Monday's game (2:50 p.m. TSN2).
While a brilliant finisher in front of goal, controversy has always seemed to surround Balotelli.
He has not started since a 1-1 tie with Liverpool two weeks ago, when Mancini charged that the ejection caused his team the victory.
On October 21, Balotelli was forced to escape his own burning house after a setting off fireworks in his bathroom.