FIGC president Giancarlo Abete has defended Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli after he was branded a "rotten apple" by AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi.

The Rossoneri President and former Italian Prime Minister made the comment when discussing whether he'd sign Balotelli.

Abete responded: "I talk about him as a player for the Nazionale and not in other contexts. Mario has always behaved well with the Azzurri.

"We have a Coach like Cesare Prandelli who has shown himself capable of dealing with the players on the field and off, punishing when necessary or getting the best out of them."