Balotelli handed three-match ban
Milan striker Mario Balotelli has been banned for three matches after being sent off against Napoli on Sunday.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
The 23-year-old was booked in the 57th minute before being shown a second yellow card for dissent after the final whistle of his side's 2-1 defeat at San Siro.
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 sending-off", it confirmed in a statement.
Balotelli had a typically eventful game against Rafael Benitez's side, as he missed the first penalty of his career and hit the bar before scoring a sublime injury-time consolation and getting sent off.
The Italy international, who has scored three goals in four Serie A games this season, will now miss Milan's fixtures against Bologna, Sampdoria and champions Juventus.
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
