Police to press charges against Mario Balotelli after ‘paying man £1,800 to drive moped into the sea’

POLICE will press charges against Mario Balotelli for ‘paying a bar owner £1,800 to drive a moped into the sea’, according to reports.

The former Liverpool and Man City striker, 28, was reported to cops in Italy and is facing accusations of “criminal solicitation and gambling”, Football Italia say.

Balotelli, who spent six months with French club Marseille, is said to have made the bet with Catello Buonocore.

The Italian reportedly paid £1,800 for the bar owner to drive the scooter into the ocean at a marina in Naples.

Balotelli, Buonocore and two others also face charges for the abandonment of hazardous waste.

And footage shows the racer wearing only his pants as he dropped off the edge and splashes into the water.

Balotelli published the footage on Instagram, showing the crowd that had gathered to watch the daring stunt.

In the seaside town of Mergellina, to the west of Naples city centre, Balotelli was reportedly seen making a bet with the bar owner before the stunt.

And he was later spotted taking the cash he had earned.

As quoted by to Football Italia, the man later joked to reporters: “My moped was only worth £540 anyway.”

Balotelli is now without a club after half a season in Ligue 1 with Marseille.