Nice: No special rules for Mario Balotelli

Updated 10/11/2016 at 15:37 GMT

Nice director Julien Fournier has claimed Mario Balotelli’s revival is due to the club’s refusal to impose special rules on him.

Football Soccer - Nice v Lyon - French Ligue 1 - Allianz Riviera stadium, Nice, France - 14/10/16 Nice's Mario Balotelli talks with coach Lucien Favre as he leaves the pitch

Image credit: Reuters

The Italian striker had to adhere to a strict code of conduct during his loan spell at AC Milan last year, while Liverpool also bristled at his histrionics.

He was eventually shipped off to France, with many anticipating his fade into obscurity.

Instead, Balotelli has propelled Nice to the Ligue 1 summit with six goals in as many outings – and Fournier believes the club’s relaxed approach is paying off.

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BALOTELLI Mario

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"All his former clubs have tried to give him rules, we don’t," Fornier explained to Il Messaggero.

"We have our rules for the pitch and within the squad, but they’re the same for everyone. He’s a nice and easy to manage player, like his team-mates.

"Nice is a family environment, but with rules that apply to everyone, without any special exceptions.

"We told him about our project, our club and our fans who are very warm and passionate. It’s not by chance that our training sessions are open to the public."

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