Mario Balotelli denies being involved in fight in Italy

Mario Balotelli has described allegations of being involved in a brawl in his hometown in Italy as "false speculation".

Local reports claimed that the 25-year-old Liverpool striker was part of a fight that resulted in a man having three fingers amputated.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at Coco Beach in Lonato del Garda, Brescia, on Saturday night while Balotelli posed for photographs with young fans.

The footballer, who was with a handful of friends, is reported to have been involved in the scuffle between the youngsters and forced himself onto a bus, where a 33-year-old man injured his fingers in the ticket machine while trying to get away.

A report in Corriere della Sera, though, states that Balotelli removed himself from the situation when the group began arguing.

In response to the rumours, the striker wrote on Instagram: "Newspapers should focus on selling their pages on Italian results and not on FALSE SPECULATION about my private life."

Balotelli, who is expected to return to Liverpool after spending last season on loan at AC Milan, was left out of Italy's Euro 2016 squad.