Inter Milan outcast Mario Balotelli has received the backing of Italy coach Marcelo Lippi.
Balotelli, who has been excluded from the Inter squad for Tuesday night's Champions League showdown with Chelsea, is rumoured to have clashed with Jose Mourinho over his fitness during and after last week's goalless draw with Genoa. The official club line is that Balotelli is suffering with a knee injury and is unfit to travel to Stamford Bridge. Despite Mourinho saying he did not wish to talk about the 19-year-old in his press conference on Monday, Lippi has defended his compatriot.
Lippi said: "Balotelli is a lad who has great gifts. I am sure, certain even, that when he matures, he could carry on the good work he is doing for Inter into the Italy squad."
Asked if Balotelli's progress in Italy is hindered by the racist abuse he has received from the stands, Lippi said: "Everyone knows that I am against any kind of racism. Only one race exists and that's the human race.
"But a coach can't call players up for this reason. Balotelli is playing calmly for the Under-21s together with Okaka and Ogbonna.
"I will call them up when I feel the time is right. I will make decisions only and exclusively on account of technical questions, not racial ones."
