Silvio Berlusconi apologises to Mario Balotelli for "rotten apple" jibe

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has issued an apology to Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli for calling the controversial forward a "rotten apple".

Berlusconi recently claimed that the club would not be interested in signing the 22-year-old as he 'infects' every team he plays in.

"What I said was based on the fact that I feel positive people are useful in the changing room," Berlusconi told Sky Sport Italia. "I was not referring to Balotelli and I apologise if it was taken as a slur against him."

Meanwhile, despite a host of rumours suggesting that Balotelli will be sold by City, manager Roberto Mancini has continued to dismiss these suggestions.