AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has jumped to the defence of Mario Balotelli. A statement released by the Curva Sud specified Galliani and Balotelli were among the main targets of their protest.

"I am very happy that we signed Balotelli and the fans ought to be too. If the club hadn't snapped him up last January, then Milan would not have qualified for the Champions League.

"He helped us out this season too and has been here for just over a year, scoring more goals than anyone else.

"Unfortunately, people only remember the last game. People have a very short memory in football. Balotelli has done a lot and will do even more, while I don't think a protest is the way of getting the best out of the players."