Italy to Ban Players from Using Twitter at World Cup After Mario Balotelli Row

Italy will ban their players from using all social networks during next year's World Cup in Brazil. 

Mario Balotelli was criticised last week, according to Jack De Menezes of The Independent after refusing to support an anti-mafia campaign on Twitter.

Azzuri coach Cesare Prandelli confirmed the news to Rai Sport, via a report from Football Italia:

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During the World Cup, the rules will be a lot tougher. I don’t know if there’s a campaign against Mario, I just know that he is always under pressure. Mario is still a guy who lives like the young guy he is, but sometimes he forgets that he is a world famous footballer.

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Sadly, this move will deny the world an endless list of Balotelli selfies, like this gem:

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