Mario Balotelli at centre of racist remark

Berlusconi, the younger brother of the former Italian prime minister Silvio, who is Milan's president, described Balotelli as "negretto di famiglia" at a political meeting in Monza and was filmed by reporters.

The clip, which is being featured on the website of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, shows him saying: "OK, we are all off to see the family's little nigger. He's a crazy head. All the young ladies are invited as well - you can even have a chance to meet the president [Silvio Berlusconi]."

The comments have caused outrage in Italy, especially after the Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng won plaudits from Silvio Berlusconi for walking off the pitch after being racially abused during a friendly in January, The Guardian informs.

Paolo Berlusconi was attending a rally for a candidate for his brother's right-wing People of Freedom party when he made the remark.

Italian-born Balotelli joined Milan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day in January and scored twice on his debut against Udinese at the weekend.