Balotelli has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances so far this season
Manchester City defender Micah Richards has played down reports of a training ground spat with Mario Balotelli.
Newspapers reported that the duo clashed towards the end of a practice match on Thursday, with witnesses reporting that words were exchanged between the duo before they squared up.
But the England international took to Twitter to dismiss the incident.
“Me & Mario are all good!”, he tweeted. “These things happen in training & we shook hands after. It shows passion!”
It is not the first time Italian striker Balotelli has been involved in controversy on the training pitch.
Last season he reacted angrily to a tackle by Jerome Boateng and was also photographed clashing with Vincent Kompany in May.
While away from football he has also been in the headlines after a firework was launched inside his home back in October, causing extensive damage to his rented property.