Mario Balotelli, Banned For Three Matches

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for three matches after being dismissed off the pitch against Napoli on Sunday.

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The Striker angrily confronted the referee following the Rossoneri’s 2-1 loss to the Partenopei, picking up a second yellow card for dissent in the process.

Being dismissed for two bookable offences carries a mandatory one-match suspension, but the Italian league has opted to extend Balotelli’s punishment for “directing insulting and intimidating expressions to the referee at the time of the eviction, it confirmed in a statement.

“The ban was given for misconduct against an opponent and protests against the match officials as well as addressing the referee with insulting and intimidating expressions,” the judge in charge explained the decision.

Balotelli had an memorable game on Sunday, missing the first penalty of his professional career, but making partial amends by netting spectacular consolation goal.

The Italy international, who has scored three goals in four Serie A games this season, will miss Milan’s fixtures against Bologna, Sampdoria and Juventus.