Italy striker Mario Balotelli has stoked more controversy by publishing a picture of himself on Instagram pointing a gun at the camera with the message “a big kiss to all the haters”.

The Milan player quickly removed the photo but his latest gaffe will do him no favours in Italy where he has been a frequent target of racial abuse and has come under huge criticism for his displays in the World Cup.

After stepping down as Italy coach Cesare Prandelli also criticised Balotelli, saying he was not “a champion”.

“If he wants to become a champion he has to live in the real world and not his own virtual reality,” Prandelli said this week.

Genoa complete Matri switch

Genoa have announced that Alessandro Matri has joined them on loan from Serie A rivals Milan for the 2014-15 season.

The Italy forward underwent a medical with the Grifoni yesterday before completing his move to the Luigi Ferraris stadium.

Genoa needed to strengthen their attack after selling star striker Alberto Gilardino to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.

“We knew that Gilardino could leave so we had completed a good move with regards to his replacement,” Genoa president Enrico Preziosi said.

Rami to stay

Adil Rami is on the verge of completing his permanent move to Milan, vice-president Adriano Galliani announced.

The French defender spent the second half of last season on loan with Milan after falling out of favour at Valencia. Milan had an option to make the deal permanent this summer but were unwilling to pay the asking price set by the Spanish club for the 28-year-old.

After weeks of negotiation, both clubs have reached an agreement that will see Rami move to Milan for a reported fee of €4.25m.

Galliani said: “Agreement is very close to completion. We improved our offer to Valencia, as the difference was paid by the player to ensure the transfer.”

Chamakh signs new Palace deal

Marouane Chamakh has signed a new two-year contract at Crystal Palace, the English Premier League side have announced.

The 30-year-old Morocco international originally moved to Selhurst Park on a one-year deal last summer after leaving former club Arsenal and went on to become a regular fixture in the Eagles’ side as Tony Pulis guided them to Premier League safety.

Chamakh scored six goals for Palace last season, including a run of three successive league games in December, and was transformed into playing in a position behind the main striker by Pulis.

Di Maria to recover for WCup final

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria trained lightly this week in the hope of being able to play a part in the World Cup final against Germany despite suffering a thigh injury just days ago.

Di Maria, the South Americans’ most creative player after Lionel Messi, hurt a muscle when shooting at goal during the quarter-final win over Belgium

The speedy Real Madrid player jogged lightly in his first training on Thursday since the injury. He is racing against the clock to be ready for tomorrow, though, and sources close to the Argentine squad said the best he could hope for would be a place on the bench.

At least forward Sergio Aguero’s full recovery from a muscle strain has given Argentina a boost in their bid to win a third World Cup, and on the soil of their greatest rivals Brazil.

Argentina fly to Rio de Janeiro today.

Germany win ‘obvious’ to Magath

Fulham manager Felix Magath says he might not even bother watching tomorrow’s World Cup final between Germany and Argentina since he sees the outcome as a foregone conclusion in favour of his compatriots.

Germany head into the final at the Maracana as favourites after demolishing hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, and former West Germany international Magath expects the final to be another one-sided encounter.

“I don’t know if I will watch it,” Magath said.

“For me, the result is obvious. I think it will be 3-0 to Germany.”

Ghana fans seek asylum in Brazil

Nearly 200 Ghana fans at the World Cup have requested asylum in a southern Brazilian city over the past week and officials see the count rising sharply.

Federal police in Caxias do Sul told Agencia Brasil on Thursday they expect more than 1,000 fans from Ghana to request asylum after entering the country on tourist visas to attend the month-long soccer tournament.

Ghana played matches in the capital Brasilia and the northeastern cities Natal and Fortaleza before their elimination in the first phase of the World Cup. Job prospects have drawn previous waves of African immigrants to southern Brazil.

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