Mario Balotelli says sorry as he pleads for his Italy future MANCHESTER City striker Mario Balotelli last night issued a public apology for his latest ill-disciplined act and made an appeal to stay in Italy's national team for this summer's European Championship finals. He picked up his fourth red card in two seasons with City in the 1-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday, a defeat that left the Eastlands club trailing Manchester United by eight points and all but out of the title race. While City manager Roberto Mancini said immediately after the game that his patience is running out with Balotelli and that he will "probably" sell the player at the end of the season, the striker's dismissal has also prompted questions about whether he has again broken the new code of ethics installed by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli. "I'm very sorry for what happened and for the disappointment caused to Manchester City, and especially to [manager] Roberto Mancini, who I admire and wish well," Balotelli said in a statement provided by his agent, Mino Raiola. I am very attached to the national team, but on Sunday I committed two fouls in the course of action, not by reaction. Balotelli saw red in the 90th minute when he was booked for lunging at Bacary Sagna's knee, three minutes after Mikel Arteta had scored for Arsenal. "I didn't break the code of ethics," Balotelli said. I already missed out on the national team for foolishness and I wouldn't do it a second time. He added: "I hope to be there at the training camp in April. Let's wait for the final verdict of the ban. Balotelli received a four-match suspension from the Premier League in January after his stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker was missed by the referee, causing Prandelli to leave him out of the squad for the friendly against the United States in February. "I'll evaluate from the videos of the sending off whether or not to apply the code of ethics for Balotelli," Prandelli said yesterday, two weeks before a two-day training camp scheduled for the Azzurri. Besides Balotelli, midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Argentine-born forward Pablo Osvaldo have also missed matches with Italy for disciplinary reasons since Prandelli introduced his code in 2010. After the Arsenal match, City manager Mancini said he "was finished" with Balotelli. "I'm very sorry for him because he is losing his talent and his quality," Mancini said. He is in a bad way for his future, and he needs to change his behaviour. Earlier this season, Balotelli had to come up with an explanation for English authorities after a fire broke out in his house when fireworks were let off in his bathroom. In March 2011, it emerged that Balotelli threw a dart at a City youth-team player. No one was hurt in the incident and he escaped punishment. In yesterday's statement, Balotelli addressed his future at City. "At the end of the season I will speak with the club and we'll see," he said. Many commentators believe that the disruptive influence of Balotelli in the dressing room has ultimately cost City the Premier League title, but midfielder James Milner says the real reason Mancini's men have fallen so far behind their great rivals is because of their poor away form. Just over a month ago, City held a five-point lead in the title race, admittedly having played a game more. They were also five points clear back in October when they won the Manchester derby 6-1 at Old Trafford, having previously thrashed Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane in August. But while United have gone from strength to strength, City have self-combusted on their travels since the turn of the year, with even their victories edgy affairs. Midfielder Milner said: "We have played well for the majority of the season, but have come unstuck for whatever reason over the past few weeks, most of the time away from home. We have been very strong at home, but away have not got the results we want. It is about having that ruthlessness on the road which we can learn from. City never looked like winning against Arsenal on Sunday, with watching chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak looking far from impressed by what he saw. Milner added: "Everyone has good days and bad days. We did not keep the ball as well as we can. We were still in the game going into the final ten minutes, which is what the good teams do. When you are under pressure, it is about staying tight, restricting their chances and hoping you can nick one at the other end, but that just did not happen. They had more than enough chances, but the boys defended well, the centre-halves were magnificent, so were Gael Clichy and Joe Hart. Credit to the lads, but it was just not enough. The England player continued: "As a team, we have set standards throughout the season, but we have not met them." Mancini must now somehow lift his men for tomorrow's match against West Brom, which sees striker Balotelli serve the first instalment of what is currently a three-match ban following his sending off yesterday. The player will learn today whether he faces missing the rest of the season when the Football Association ask match officials if they failed to spot his clash with Alex Song. Replays show Balotelli going in knee-high on the Arsenal midfielder, who was fortunate to escape serious injury. When I watch Balotelli, I see a player who has no respect for the shirt, no respect for the history and no respect for the supporters. He is incapable of growing up. Jamie Redknapp There is no doubt that his record of 17 goals in 31 club appearances is fantastic. But, as City's title challenge lies in tatters, what has it brought Roberto Mancini? I will tell you. Nothing, absolutely nothing. In my eyes he only puts the effort in when he wants to. Graham Taylor Roberto Mancini's placed his faith in him but it's a circus and every time I've been to a circus there's always been some clowns. He lets you down time and time again. Gary Neville I do have sympathy for Mario Balotelli because he has been made a scapegoat for City not winning the league - he is only 21. George Boateng He needs to change his behaviour if he wants to continue to play. I saw in my life a lot of players like Mario that are fantastic, arrogant guys. But, after, they lose all their talent like this and they finish in two or three years.Mario is this way. Roberto Mancini I talked with Balotelli, the boy was sorry for what happened. I'm going to speak directly with Roberto and with the club, but I don't think they will really [sell him]. Mario's intention is to remain in England and he has a contract with City. Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola I think it is unfair for [Eric] Cantona to be likened to Balotelli because Cantona changed the Premier League to the direction it is [heading in] now. Cantona was made controversial [by the media] but wasn't controversial. Balotelli probably is controversial. Peter Schmeichel