Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has apologised for publishing a cartoon depicting Italy striker Mario Balotelli as King Kong after complaints from readers and anti-racist campaigners.
A statement from Gazzetta read:
"The newspaper is for those who read it and hence, if certain readers found the cartoon offensive, we apologise."
However, Gazzetta rejected accusations of racism against the paper or its cartoonist Valerio Marini.
"At this time, a measure of prudence and good taste are necessary because everything, absolutely everything, can be misinterpreted," the statement said.
"But those that accuse Gazzetta, and poor Marini, of racism are going overboard.
"This newspaper has fought any form of racism in every stadium and has condemned the boos directed at Balotelli as an unacceptable form of incivility." "We can honestly say it was not among the best products of our talented cartoonist.
