Brescia support owner Cellino's controversial Balotelli comments

Serie A side Brescia supported under-fire owner Massimo Cellino following controversial comments made about striker Mario Balotelli.

When pressed about manager Fabio Grosso's decision to drop Balotelli, Cellino told reporters, "What can I say? That he's black and he's working to whiten himself but he has great difficulties in this."

Hours after the former Leeds United owner's remarks, Brescia responded with a statement in support of Cellino.

"In relation to what president Massimo Cellino declared this afternoon about our player Mario Balotelli, Brescia Calcio explains that it was clearly a joke said as a paradox," Brescia's statement read, per BBC Sport.

"It was clearly misunderstood and it was said in the attempt to downplay an excessive media exposure and aimed at protecting the player."

Balotelli, who joined his hometown club Brescia in the summer on a three-year deal, was allegedly the subject of racist abuse during a match at Hellas Verona in early November. The match was temporarily stopped as Balotelli attempted to leave the pitch after kicking the match ball into the stands.

Brescia Ultras defended their Verona counterparts, calling an investigation into the incident a "witch hunt." A statement from the Brescia Ultras criticized Balotelli, saying the "arrogance that he continually gives off is unjustifiable."

Balotelli was dropped from the first-team after a training ground bust-up with Grosso.