Mario Balotelli Hangs Out With Strippers, Scores The Next Day, May Be Out $396,000

Just a routine weekend in Liverpool, really. On Saturday, Balotelli scored his 14th goal of the season for Manchester City as they went on to beat the Bolton Wanderers 2-0. But it was his Friday night stripper sighting that concerns us—and may cost him. Balotelli was reportedly spotted leaving a Liverpool "lap dancing bar" called "X In The City" early Friday morning.

The Italian badboy's visit ahead of City's Saturday game with Bolton was in clear breach of the club's imposed curfew, which prevents players from hitting the town less than 48 hours before a fixture.

Man City's coach, Roberto Mancini, has said that the team will levy the "maximum fine we can" if the reports turn out to be true. That would be a fine of £250,000, or $396,000. While it's hard to argue that the late-night hijinx had an effect on Balotelli, Mancini seems to believe he could have had at least three or four goals if he had been at home in bed rather than out with strippers, most likely not in bed.

Man City's Balotelli faces nearly $400k fine for strip club visit ahead of EPL game [NY Post]