Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was asked to leave the Trafford Centre in Manchester for refusing to remove his hood.

The controversial striker reportedly refused to remove his hood when shopping with a friend, and was politely asked to depart the building.

"He was very charming – there was no scene. He wasn't booted out. He didn't want to take his hood down because he knew he'd be spotted by his fans but he was very polite and understood why he was asked to remove his hood," a source told Manchester Evening News.

"Rules are rules and they apply to all visitors – whether they are footballers or not."

Balotelli has scored 14 goals in 21 games for City this season.