Mario Balotelli rages out, destroying a photographer’s camera after being benched mid-game
Oct 30, 2019
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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Incidents happen in sport and sometimes, sports photographers get accidentally involved in them as well. But apparently, some sports players will rage out on photographers even though they did nothing wrong. Football player Mario Balotelli recently got angry over a referee’s decision. So, he took his anger out on a nearby tripod, smashing a photographer’s camera.
Photographer Massimo Lovati turned to social media after the incident. In an Instagram post, he explained what happened during the Genova-Brescia match when his camera got destroyed.
With the help of Google Translate and my rusty Italian, I conclude that Lovati placed his Canon camera with a cable remote on a small tripod under the South stairs of the stadium. “Mr. Balottelli used it as a ball when he was recalled to the bench and kicked it against the advertising rotors,” the post reads. Lovati writes further that he immediately called the ball boy who had witnessed the incident. He explained to the photographer what had happened.
“I found that the camera and the booster were noticeably damaged (the camera case was cracked) and the camera was no longer working,” Lovati writes. After the game, he spoke with the director of Brescia, Balotelli’s football club. The photographer plans to send Brescia the bill to reimburse him for the cost of the repair or replacement of his gear. Personally, I believe that’s the right thing to do.
Lovati notes in his post that he’s furious with Balotelli’s actions and lack of respect. Honestly, it even got me angry, and it’s not even my gear! Seeing people act disrespectfully to others and to their work always makes me frustrated. But in this case, I guess this is relatable since I’m a photographer myself. I know how hard I must work to afford a new camera or a lens. And I would surely also be furious if someone kicked it like that just because they’re angry with someone else.
It shouldn’t be that hard to control your rage. Or at least, channel it somewhere else. And it’s even less hard to be nice and apologize when you do something wrong (accidentally or on purpose). But as I conclude from Instagram comments, the photographer still hasn’t heard from Balotelli nor received an apology.
[via FStoppers; image credits left: Илья Хохлов/Wikimedia Commons (modified), right: Instagram screenshot ]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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17 responses to “Mario Balotelli rages out, destroying a photographer’s camera after being benched mid-game”
Scum, that’s who!
A petulant, spoilt, overpaid footballer obviously.
Craig Johnson he does give a lot of his money back to his parent’s home country…. that’s more than 90% of other sportsman
Well then all of that generosity just got tainted, unfortunately
Athletes are not role models, and it most instances aren’t good human beings either. But that is not the issue. When you live life respecting others, and therefore yourself, assuming every else does too is the travesty.
Athletes are people, people are good people are bad, having athletic skill doesn’t mean you’re a good person.
Doesn’t mean you’re a bad one either.
Alexander L. Harris I’ve often found the best in people in life either have nothing, have overcome great hardship, or both.
Jay Knickerbocker I think it depends, I’ve met jerks from all walks, I think it depends on how much they appreciate what they do have, and understand it can *always* be worse.
Does this photographer know Mario has 18 cars :/
He should have to repay, double, two cameras and toss in a few lens.
Well, you answered your on question… Mario – Mario does that.
Children. Children do this.
Wouldn’t see this in Rugby overpaid pansy ??
Photographers are sometimes on places they don’t need to be!
I thought it meant Mario Batali….
Now, photographer will finally switch to newer model, I belive he have plan to provoce Mario to buy him a new camera and also get some free media space.Preak!
I agree that is not the way to behive, but dont mess photographers with paparazzi and in My opinion, that is exactlly what this guy is.Hounting for fame, without any feelings for subject him/herself (Mario in this case).Everybody has bad day (Mario have allote of them I admmit), but when that day comes, last that U need some oprtunist to flash into Your face and dont wannt to leave U allone, well done Mario ???