AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is once again at the centre of controversy after a shocking public remark by the club's vice-president Paolo Berlusconi.
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Paolo, younger brother of Italian Prime minister Silvio, referred to the 22-year-old as "negretto di famiglia", which translated means "the family's little n*****."
Berlusconi's comments, made at a political rally for a candidate of his brother's People of Freedom party in Monza, have already caused widespread outrage in Italy and were filmed by reporters from Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
"Okay, we are all off to see the family's little n****. He's a crazy head," said the younger Berlusconi. "All the young ladies are invited as well - you can even have a chance to meet the president Silvio Berlusconi."
Despite numerous attempts by UEFA to oust racism from the game, it remains a deep-seated issue in Italian football, and the Rossoneri have been particularly problematic.
This was evident last month when Balotelli's Milan team-mate, Kevin Prince-Boateng, walked off the pitch after being racially abused by fans in a friendly with Serie C side Pro Patria.
Silvio Berlusconi praised Boateng for his actions at the time and said the club would no longer tolerate racism of any kind, however, his brother's remarks have caused yet another racially charged scandal in Serie A.
He said: "I called Kevin-Prince Boateng a little while ago and I congratulated him for his reaction against the disgraceful episode of racism that took place in the stadium of Pro Patria in Busto Arsizio.
"I am very happy by Milan's reaction and be assured that in all games where we experience episodes of this kind, Milan will leave the field."
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