Luigi Repace, the President of the Football Association of the Italian Region of Umbria has told Observer Sports that Manchester City striker, Mario Bolotelli has a character problem which makes him psychologically imbalanced.

Repace was speaking to this paper in a brief chart on Monday at the Administrative Building of The Gambia Football Association in Kanifing after the Italian Football Federation formally signed a contract between the GFA and Italian coach Luciano Mancini.

Balotelli has gained a reputation for being an extrovert character and many of his off field antics have been reported in the press. Paying homage to Balotelli's extrovert activities, City supporters often serenade a song with lyrics referring to his antics and musician Tinchy Stryder recorded a song in Balotelli's honour.

In December 2011, Balotelli broke a 48-hour curfew before City's game against Chelsea to go to a curry house, although he "was not drinking alcohol, signed autographs, posed for pictures with fellow diners and was involved in a mock sword-fight using rolling pins".

In another infamous moment in the career of Balotelli, the Manchester City striker made an unexpected appearance at Andrea Stramaccioni's first press conference as Inter Milan coach on March 2012. Balotelli entered the press room, shook Stramaccioni's hand and those of other people at the podium before leaving the press conference amidst some laughter from the crowd.

Italian football was hit by tragedy at the weekend when footballer Piermario Morosini died while playing for Serie B (second tier) side Brescia and reacting to the sudden death of the Udinese player, Repace said it is a sad day for Italian football but has promised that they will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of the death.

Commenting on his country’s chances at this summer’s European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine, Repace said they are hopeful that the Azzuri will put the disappointment of 2010 group stage at the South Africa World Cup behind them by winning the championship.