Police had to intervene after Mario Balotelli was subjected to racist chants at Italy's World Cup training base yesterday.

Kids outside the Coverciano complex in Florence were responsible for the chants, and Balotelli appeared visibly disturbed. The training session was open to media, and Balotelli could be heard saying, "Only in Rome and Florence are they that stupid."

While most of the fans cheered for Balotelli, police approached the area where the chants came from and they quickly ended.

Balotelli was born in Sicily to Ghanaian immigrants and brought up by an Italian foster family. He has faced racist chants throughout his career.

"It's unbelievable that in 2014 we still have this form of racism," Balotelli's fellow forward, Ciro Immobile, said. "It's not great for the nation. We represent Italy."