• Premier League

Balotelli fails with red card appeal

ESPN staff
November 9, 2010
Mario Balotelli scored twice against West Brom but was later sent off and will miss the Manchester derby

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will have to serve a three-match suspension after the Football Association rejected his appeal against his dismissal against West Brom at the weekend.

The Italy striker was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Probert following a coming together with Baggies midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu. Balotelli had already picked up an earlier yellow card and although the club accepted the sending off, felt a straight red card was too harsh a punishment and lodged an appeal.

The FA supported the initial ruling of Probert, meaning Balotelli will have to sit out the club's next three games against Manchester United, Birmingham and Fulham.

"At an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, a claim that the standard punishment is clearly excessive from Manchester City's Mario Balotelli was dismissed," read a statement from The FA. "As a result, Balotelli will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect."

Balotelli joined City from Inter in the summer and has had an eventful time at Eastlands. He scored on his debut for the club in the Europa League, only to pick up a knee injury which sidelined him for a couple of months.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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