Bastia coach Francois Ciccolini has told L'Equipe that Mario Balotelli insulted his mother in the heated aftermath of Nice's 1-1 draw in Corsica on Friday.
Balotelli alleged he was the target of racial abuse by Bastia fans before and during the Ligue 1 game.
Visibly annoyed by the treatment he received, Balotelli stormed off down the tunnel after the game, appearing to say something to Ciccolini as he passed.
In images released by Canal+, Ciccolini was heard to yell at Balotelli and insult him, but the Bastia boss claimed he had been the victim of barbs from the Italy international striker first.
"Quite sincerely, I understand Mario Balotelli's irritation," Ciccolini told L'Equipe. "Like a lot of people, I discovered the following day he'd been the victim of racist insults, that he had even had big problems with some of our supporters. He was annoyed. But it wasn't my fault. When he passed in front of me, he started to talk to me and insult me.
"I responded. I'm a teacher. I should set an example, not get annoyed etcetera. But there comes a time when the human being comes through. And I understand Italian perfectly. And my mother is not someone you can insult, call all sorts of names. My mother is 80 years old. People know me. I didn't react gratuitously."
He added: "Yes, insults are common. But do you think Mario Balotelli, a fantastic player, a player I love, can allow himself to insult whoever he wants because he's Mario Balotelli and he's a star? He insulted my mother, and that causes me a big problem."
The French Football League (LFP) has asked its Disciplinary Commission to look into the incidents that led to Balotelli's anger when it meets on Thursday.
Ciccolini said he was yet to hear from the LFP, and lent his support to Balotelli, who had used his Instagram account to bring the incidents to light.
"I can understand. What happened is serious. I can't accept it," Ciccolini said. "There are black guys in my team too. The pieces also have to be put back together. It really troubles me. It's serious. I'm convinced the club will handle the problem. These idiots have to be prevented from coming to the stadium. It badly damages the image of the Sporting Club de Bastia."