The Football Association (FA) were yesterday investigating another case of anti-semitism after Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli posted a picture of video game icon Super Mario with a racist caption.

Balotelli took to Instagram on Monday night to post an image of the character which included the comment: “Jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”

Just last month Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said that “Jewish people chase money more than everybody else,” and was charged by the FA last week.

Despite Balotelli deleting the post hours later and issuing a public apology yesterday — saying it was an attempt to be “anti-racist with humour” — the Italian is facing a misconduct charge from the FA.

FA guidelines regarding when to charge someone over a comment on social media state that “deleting an inappropriate posting, while advisable, does not necessarily prevent disciplinary action being taken.”

The controversial image of Super Mario appeared with the heading: “Don’t be a racist.” The text then read: “Be like Mario. He’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican, he jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”

Balotelli then took to Twitter to once again defend himself, saying: “My mum is Jewish so all of you shut up please.” He also described reposting the image as “my unlucky moment.”

He went on to say: “I apologise if I’ve offended anyone.

“The post was meant to be anti-racist with humour. I now understand that out of context (it) may have the opposite effect.

“Not all Mexicans have moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.

“I used a cartoon done by someone else because it has Super Mario and I thought it was funny and not offensive. Again, I’m sorry.”

A Liverpool spokesman said that they would speak to the former Manchester City striker.

Community group the Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the FA’s involvement.

“The board is concerned by the racist meme shared by footballer Mario Balotelli on his Instagram account and welcomes the FA’s probe into the matter.”

“Footballers in particular have big followings of young people and should act responsibly when using social media.”

The board’s president Vivian Wineman added: “Balotelli’s sharing of images which use unacceptable language and appeal to classic anti-semitic tropes is troubling.

“We were pleased to see his immediate retraction and apology but such language has no place in public discourse. 

“We welcome the decision by the FA to investigate this matter.”