Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has apologised for a post on social media which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

Balotelli, 24, quickly deleted the post from his Instagram page of Nintendo computer game character Super Mario reported BBC.

The Italian had tweeted to deny the text of the post was offensive before his apology.

The Football Association is to investigate the post, while Liverpool say they will speak to Balotelli.

The picture posted by the Italian striker had an image of ‘Super Mario’ with the heading “Dont be a racist!”

The text read: “Be like Mario, he’s an Italian plumber, created by Japanese people, who speaks English and looks like a Mexican.”

It finished: “He jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew.”

Responding to criticism on Twitter, Balotelli tweeted: “My Mom is Jewish so all of you shut up please.”

He also described reposting the image as “my unlucky moment”.

However, he later wrote: “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 a moustache, not all black people jump high and not all Jewish people love money.

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

A Liverpool spokesman told BBC Sport: “We are aware of the posting which has since been promptly deleted by the player. We will be speaking to the player about the issue.”

Former FA executive and current chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council Simon Johnson said Balotelli should face action.