SOCCER:MARIO BALOTELLI'S notoriety as one of the more combustible characters in English football increased yesterday after he was involved in a flashpoint with one of his Manchester City team-mates, Jerome Boateng, in training.

At the club’s practice ground, Balotelli reacted angrily to a challenge from Boateng and the two players had to be separated after they squared up to each other.

Witnesses said the altercation lasted for only a few seconds and that the pair later shook hands. A senior club official said that it was the kind of confrontation that happens at all clubs and that there would be no lasting repercussions.

The incident will represent an embarrassment for Manchester City after weeks of reports of a fractious atmosphere at the club.

Yesterday, City’s manager, Roberto Mancini, had to pull Balotelli away as other players attempted to calm both players down. Photographers captured the moment, however, and it will do little to relieve the troublesome reputation Balotelli brought with him when he signed from Internazionale for €28 million in August.

Mancini has had to fend off questions about the spirit within his squad since the striker Emmanuel Adebayor had a heated argument with Vincent Kompany during a defeat by Wolves in October. That followed an argument between Yaya Toure and James Milner a week before.

Mancini has also had problems with Adebayor, about the player’s attitude, and was involved in a confrontation with his captain, Carlos Tevez, that members of the coaching staff had to split up.

Balotelli has scored five goals in six matches for City but the 20-year-old has not made himself popular at Eastlands. A delegation of players is said to have confronted Mancini recently about his supposedly giving the Italian preferential treatment.

Meanwhile, Joleon Lescott has said he is open to the idea of leaving Manchester City in next month’s transfer window after becoming increasingly agitated about his inability to secure a first-team place at the club.