Soccer fans throw bananas, dagger-like object at black AC Milan players (VIDEO)

To emphasize how far racism and hate in European soccer has gone, fans in Italy not only threw bananas at black players on the pitch this weekend, they also tossed a dagger-like object that almost hit one of the midfielders.

Atalanta's 2-1 win over AC Milan was overshadowed by the disturbing actions of some its fans, who targeted Rossoneri stars Kevin Constant and Nigel de Jong with the objects — an all-too-familiar occurrence in soccer games that caused worldwide outrage two weeks ago when a similar scene involving Barcelona star Dani Alves played out in Spain.

Photos taken at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo show the foot-long, knife-like object  sticking in the grass just a few feet from Constant as he angrily waves the banana in the air. De Jong, meanwhile, picked up another banana and mocked the racist fans by applauding the cowardly action along with AC Milan teammate Philippe Mexes.

Play eventually continued, but not before fans were warned on the stadium loudspeaker that any similar incidents would lead to officials suspending the game.

Mario Balotelli covers his cleats with newspaper headlines about himself (PHOTO)

Three major shoe companies are reportedly battling to sign Italian soccer star Mario Balotelli to a new shoe contract. In the meantime, Balotelli has gotten creative while deciding whose shoes he'll be wearing.

After playing several games for AC Milan with his boots completely blacked out, Balotelli unveiled new cleats on Monday that were completely covered in newspaper, featuring headlines from moments from his well-documented soccer career.

The most prominent headline is "WHY ALWAYS ME?" which refers to the famous undershirt Balotelli revealed after scoring a goal against Manchester United.

C'è talmente tanta crisi al Milan che Balotelli è costretto a giocare con ste scarpe di cartone #MilanRoma pic.twitter.com/Bag5XaKLe3
— Fabio Manfreda (@FabioManfreda) December 16, 2013

It is believed that Nike, Puma, and adidas are competing to sign the soccer star and, as long as the controversial Super Mario is playing, there will never be a shortage of headline material for these kicks.

Mario Balotelli takes $300K Ferrari for spin on go-kart track

Mario Balotelli has a reputation for the outrageous and the naughty — a sort of mix between Shaquille O'Neal and Metta World Peace — on and off the pitch.  The soccer star just keeps piling up headlines as fast as he scores goals — sometimes more.

The 22-year-old is well known for his love of go-karting but is forbidden by his contract with AC Milan to drive the mini hot rods because the team is worried he may injure himself.

However to get his Jeff Gordon on — while getting around the go-kart clause — the owners of the track allowed him to take his brand-new $300,000 Ferrari 450 out for a few laps on the high speed course. 

Balotelli turned up at the Pala K karting complex on the outskirts of Milan with a group of friends and he spent almost an hour at the club speeding through the curves and straightaways of the half-mile track in his Ferrari as his pals cheered him on from the stands before they went for a bite to eat.

Balotelli, who had a go-kart track built in the garden of his English home when he was at Manchester City, is a regular at the Pala K centre and would often turn up even while living in Great Britain. 

"Mario is a regular visitor here and would come over even when he was playing in England," said owner Joe Ghiringhelli. "He loves the karts and driving although he said he could never get used to driving in England because over there they drive on the other side of the road.

"We let him take his new Ferrari out on the track and he was roaring around laughing and having fun."

That looks like one cool go-kart track.

Balotelli tells Real Madrid team they can 'sleep with my girlfriend' if they advance

Mario Balotelli has a reputation as a scoundrel and a troublemaker but the AC Milan soccer star might have pushed the envelope way too far this time.

In a bizarre comment Ballotelli might have thought was funny, the high-scoring striker was so confident Borussia Dortmund would qualify for the Champions League final ahead of Real Madrid he was reportedly quoted as saying he would allow the Spanish side's team to sleep with his girlfriend if they managed to upset the odds and reach the last match at Wembley, according to the DailyMail.com

The unflappable Balotelli is known for his controversial ways and off-the-wall statements but this crude offer might not go over too well with his girlfriend, the beautiful Belgium model Fanny Neguesha.

In Spanish newspapers AS and Marca, the Italy forward was quoted as saying: "If Real Madrid come back in Champions League, I’ll let my girlfriend sleep with them!"

Meanwhile, Balotelli, apart from reportedly making controversial comments about his girlfriend, is lighting up Serie A since leaving Manchester for AC Milan.

The 22-year-old has scored 10 times since exiting the Premier League, including a contentious penalty in last night’s victory over Catania.

Balotelli has previously spoken about his blossoming relationship with Neguesha. In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, the striker said his girlfriend was the "first woman I feel comfortable with."

I hope he's comfortable sleeping on the living room sofa.