Balotelli's 'grass' allergy is irritation for Man City

Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:51pm GMT

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MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was forced off the pitch in their 2-0 Europa League defeat by Dynamo Kiev with what British media said was a grass allergy.

The Italian was rubbing his eyes when he came out late for the second half in Thursday's defeat in Ukraine and was substituted soon after.

"Mario had an allergy -- I don't know what. His face was swollen -- I don't know why," coach Roberto Mancini told reporters.

"He wanted to play in the second half but he had this problem 10 seconds before coming out."

British media reported the striker was sensitive to a certain type of grass.

City face Championship (second division) Reading at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

<p>Manchester City's Mario Balotelli celebrates scoring against Aston Villa during their English FA Cup soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, March 2, 2011. REUTERS/Phil Noble</p>

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