The 21-year-old has until 6pm on Wednesday to respond to the charge, which relates to an incident in which he appeared to stamp on Scott Parker's head during yesterday's 3-2 Barclays Premier League win over Tottenham.

An FA statement read: "The FA has today charged Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in his side's home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

"Balotelli was involved in an incident with Tottenham's Scott Parker during Manchester City's 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 22 January 2012.

"Balotelli has until 6pm on Wednesday25 January 2012 to respond to the charge."

The one consolation for City is that Joleon Lescott will face no further action for catching Younes Kaboul in the face with his forearm in a separate incident at the Etihad Stadium.

If he accepts his charge, Balotelli will miss Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield, as well as the Premier League trips to Everton and Aston Villa, plus the home encounter with Fulham on February 4.

However, should the Italy international decide to appeal he will be free for the cup tie against the Reds, with a hearing taking place later this week.

It would seem, though, that Balotelli would be at risk of getting the suspension extended if he took that course of action as referee Howard Webb informed the FA today that, had he seen the Italian's apparent stamp, he would have sent the City player off.

The incident is the latest in a number of on- and off-field controversies for the player since his arrival in English football in summer 2010.

Balotelli has been sent off three times in his City career and was branded "stupid" by manager Roberto Mancini following the second of those, against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last season.

There have been other off-field incidents that have sometimes even led to City supporters questioning Balotelli's contribution, not least the incident in October when fire crews were called to his house in Cheshire when he attempted to set off fireworks in his bathroom.

But fellow City forward Sergio Aguero insists there is a world of difference between the public perception of Balotelli and the player he sees in training at Carrington every day.

"Firstly we all know what a fantastic player he is. But those of us who are really close to Mario know that off the field he's a really good lad," the Argentina international said.

"Like a lot of players he has his own idiosyncracies here and there. You know him as a player - what you see on the field. But I know he's a lovely lad.

"He's a young lad, he takes care of himself and gets on with his own business. I'm a bit of a family guy, a home bird. I like spending time with my wife and my son. I love my work and do my shift. That's what's important to me - going about my job for City."

Referee Webb's retrospective stance that he should have sent Balotelli off is a view widely shared across the game, with a succession of former players and managers arguing that the former Inter Milan forward should have been dismissed.

That he went on to score the stoppage-time penalty that gave City their win only heightened Spurs boss Harry Redknapp's discomfort immediately after the game.

"I don't like people kicking other people in the head on a football pitch," he said.

"It is not something I understand. Why should he go and back-heel someone in the head when he is on the floor?"

Aguero discussed who would take the decisive spot-kick with Balotelli, and added: "We share the duties but generally Mario is the official penalty taker. I did check with him first and said 'I'll take it - are you sure you want it?'. He said 'yeah I'm 100% sure' so it was fine for him to take it."

Midfielder James Milner for one knew Balotelli would not fail.

"I wouldn't have wanted anyone else but Mario to be in that position," the England man said.

"He is the best I have seen. I know it is different but he takes penalties exactly the same. It doesn't matter whether there is any pressure on him or not.

"I have seen him take 60 or 70 against Joe Hart, who is no slouch between the sticks. Joe has saved one. He waits for the keeper and makes it impossible for him. I had full confidence that he would put that away."

Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, was later reported to have told an Italian radio station that the player would remain at City at least for this season and next, before considering his future in 2013.

Balotelli signed a five-year contract with City in the summer of 2010.

"Mario and Roberto are not married, but Mario is grateful," Raiola is reported by skysports.com to have told GR Parlamento.

"Sometimes they fight and argue, but Balotelli knows what Mancini was and is for him. However, I cannot say that Mario will remain at Manchester City for life. Certainly he will stay there this season and the next one, too. Then we will see."