The 21-year-old has vowed to leave the field if he suffers racial abuse at the European Championships, according to the Telegraph.
"Let's see what happens at the Euro," the Telegraph reports Balotelli told France Football. "I hope that there will not be a problem. Because I really can't handle that."
"I cannot bear racism, it's unacceptable for me. If it had happened again I would straight away leave the pitch and go home. We are in 2012. It can't happen."
The European Championships come to Eastern Europe for the first time, as Poland and Ukraine will serve as co-hosts. But It will kick off (on June 8) amid fears that racism will rear its ugly head and mar the spectacle. There have been reports that neo-Nazi groups regularly attend soccer games in these countries, and some are bent on causing trouble this summer.
The families of England's Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have decided not to travel to Poland or Ukraine out of fear for their safety. Some family members of other players of color (both from England and other national teams) are considering taking the same steps.
Balotelli, an Italian of Ghanaian descent, is the most high-profile player to speak out on the subject. He suffered racial abuse during a 2009 game in Italy's Serie A. He scored for Inter Milan in a game against Juventus.
"I remember very well," Balotelli said. "But I also scored a goal."
"I had to pretend I hadn't seen anything. I wanted to play. I was young. It was up to me to tell him. But if I had told the referee [to stop the match] I wouldn't have scored."
Italy begins its Euro 2012 quest on June 10 with a game against defending champion Spain. Balotelli could be in the starting 11 for a game that much of the world will tune in to watch. His proposed reaction to racial abuse may not be what Sepp Blatter had in mind but, like any player, he is free to address the issue as he sees fit.
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