World Football Gossip Roundup: Mario Balotelli, Marcel Schmelzer, Lazar Markovic

It's retro Monday here at the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup.

After an exciting week of football action around the world, decision-makers everywhere are looking back retroactively at a number of controversial incidents. As usual, we've got all the updates from the Manchester Derby, a Bundesliga shocker and an incident of North London diving.

Keep reading for all the details.

Mario Balotelli Latest

Italian striker Mario Balotelli is running out of time at Manchester City as AC Milan plan a January bid, according to Goal.com.

Balotelli started but played poorly in City's 3-2 loss to rivals Manchester United on Sunday. He was subbed out of the match early in the second half, and afterwards manager Roberto Mancini said Balotelli needed "to think about his job."

Milan would reportedly offer Balotelli €5 million per season, initially bringing him to the San Siro on loan.

According to The Guardian, Balotelli wants to remain at Manchester City.

PFA Calls for Netting Around English Pitches

The Professional Footballers' Association is calling for nets to be installed around pitches in English stadiums in order to protect players (via Daily Telegraph).

A fan struck Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand with a coin near the end of Sunday's Manchester Derby (won by United 3-2 over City). Ferdinand bled from a wound above his eye. City keeper Joe Hart stopped a pitch invader moments later.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "I think you've got to give consideration to possibly, as has been suggested, some netting in vulnerable areas, be it behind the goals and round the corner flags."

FA to Punish Divers Retroactively?

The English Football Association could implement new retroactive punishments for divers at the end of the season, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The FA currently does not punish divers retroactively. FIFA laws, however, stipulate that this could change, according to the FA's wishes.

The issue came up on Saturday when Santi Cazorla won a penalty for Arsenal with what appeared to be a dive. Replays showed little if any contact from the West Brom defender.

German Referee Apologizes for Mistakes

German referee Wolfgang Stark has apologized for making a mistake during a weekend Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg (via Metro).

Stark awarded Wolfsburg a penalty and sent off Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer in the 35th minute for a supposed handball in the Dortmund box. Replays showed the ball hit Schmelzer's leg.

Wolfsburg won the match 3-2. Defending champions Dortmund trail leaders Bayern Munich by 14 points.

Later, Stark said:

"

I am sorry, but it was an error in interpretation from me. We have taken a look at it again in the dressing room, together with the referee observer. During the game, to me it seemed a clear handball on the goal line, so penalty and red card. Unfortunately, the pictures speak a different language. It shouldn’t happen, but it has happened. The penalty and the red card were mistakes.

"

Chelsea Close to Deal for Lazar Markovic?

Chelsea are nearing an £8 million deal for Serbian teenager Lazar Markovic, according to the Daily Mail.

Markovic, an 18-year-old forward, has scored six times in 12 matches this season with Partizan Belgrade. He has earned six caps for Serbia.

The deal could be worth up to £14 million, based on appearances. Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested.

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