• Premier League

Mancini lifts lid on Mario & Micah's spat

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has shrugged off the training ground bust-up between Mario Balotelli and Micah Richards on Thursday, saying the pair are "like twins".

Italy striker Balotelli, no stranger to controversy since joining City, was pictured grappling with defender Richards following a dispute that arose during a practice match.

Mancini claims such incidents are commonplace during training, and therefore nothing for him to worry about - however, he did add that Balotelli should work on his conduct, dropping in a light-hearted reference to the fireworks incident at the player's house, which required the fire brigade to be called out.

"[Balotelli] said it was because he didn't pass the ball to him," Mancini said. "It was a really stupid thing. It was nothing. After 10 minutes it was finished. I was always involved in problems on the training ground, with Trevor Francis and Liam Brady [at Sampdoria]. It happens.

"When you play a match eight versus eight and you are passionate, it can happen with every team. Not every week, but often. Mario and Micah were boxing, but they are like twins. They are very good friends. This has happened with Mario four times now. He is the king for this. But it has happened with other players.

"However, Mario should pay attention, not just about this, but in every situation. We are near Christmas, at the end of the year it is very dangerous time for fireworks. It is better he stays in the hotel."

Balotelli was also in the headlines earlier this week after being spotted out in Manchester city centre in the early hours of Sunday - less than 48 hours before the game at Chelsea - but Mancini dismissed that as unimportant.

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