Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has slammed Lega authorities for fining Mario Balotelli. The Serie A leaders are appealing against the €7,000 fine handed down after Balotelli's outburst against Chievo fans in midweek.

"At the moment nothing surprises me. I expect everything. A player feels a negative atmosphere during a game, plays a great game and gets a naïve yellow card," snapped Mourinho.

"He then leaves the pitch and claps for three seconds. He gets a fine that doesn't seem right to me and that doesn't help his growth.

"Mario has apologised for the one thing he did wrong. He made the mistake of generalising the entire city of Verona for the incorrect behaviour of a few people.

"I do not understand why the 'power', I say it in inverted commas, has reacted like this. I do not understand why Inter has been punished for the racist chants of our fans and Chievo haven't for their own. Anyway, back to Mario, I prefer to speak about how he played.

"In Verona he played very well, even in the defensive phase."