Mario Balotelli has not requested paternity leave according to Manchester City

Manchester City have denied reports that striker Mario Balotelli will take two weeks' paternity leave over the busy Christmas period.

The Italian's model girlfriend Raffaella Fico is due to give birth on Christmas Day and it was reported that Balotelli would return home, potentially missing a number of Premier League matches.

City said the club has checked with its human resource department, coaching staff and the 22-year-old's representatives, and confirmed that no such request had been made.

A spokesman said there was «no basis» to the story, adding: «No request relating to paternity leave has been made by the player/ his representative or received by the club.»
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