Inter boss Jose Mourinho has chosen not to include Mario Balotelli in his squad for the third match in a row.
The Special One lost his patience with Balotelli the weekend before last when he didn't show total commitment against Genoa.
Balotelli's brother, Corrado, claimed that Inter had overstepped the line by making the 19-year-old play despite having a fever, something Mourinho and his medical staff have categorically denied.
Corrado also revealed that Mino Raiola is now representing Balotelli. Raiola is the agent who orchestrated Zlatan Ibrahimovic's move away from San Siro last summer.
Sources in Milan believe that the Inter hierarchy took Corrado's statement as a threat and decided to make an example of Balotelli.
He was dropped for last Friday's match against Catania and then Tuesday's Champions League second round tie with Chelsea after another spat with Mourinho on the training ground.
Last year, Inter are believed to have deliberately kept Balotelli out for seven matches after he sought a move away from the club in the January transfer window.
La Gazzetta dello Sport understands a similar punishment has been meted out again, thus explaining why Balotelli will not feature against Palermo tomorrow.
