Maverick striker Mario Balotelli has been fined €10,000 for making a provocative gesture to rival Cagliari supporters after scoring against them in Milan’s 2-1 win on Sunday.

Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal said Balotelli had “angered the crowd with a provocative and insulting gesture” after claiming the equaliser from a free kick.

Balotelli was also booked for the eighth time this season over the incident and will miss Milan’s next league game at home to Torino through accumulated yellow cards.

The 23-year-old has already served a three-match ban this season after being sent off for insulting match officials at the end of the game at home to Napoli.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said yesterday that Balotelli needed love and would eventually learn from his mistakes.

“Balotelli will learn,” Prandelli told reporters. “He will need a lot of love, he is a guy who we give a lot to and is important for Milan.”

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