Italian FA hands Mario Balotelli three match ban

AC Milan’s forwards Mario Balotelli (2ndL) reacts after receiving a red card at the end of the Serie A football match AC Milan vs Napoli, on September 22, 2013, at the San Siro stadium in Milan

Mario Balotelli received a three match ban from Italian FA for using “intimidating and insulting” words towards the referee after AC Milan‘s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Napoli at the San Siro on Sunday.

Balotelli saw a red card at the final whistle after arguing with Napoli player, Valon Behrami, and with the referee.

AC Milan are likely to appeal against the ban. But, if the suspension is not revoked, he will miss the next three Serie A games against Bologna, Sampdoria and Juventus respectively.

Balotelli had an eventful night as he hit the crossbar, missed a penalty and scored an injury time goal against Napoli. But after the final whistle, the temperamental striker received his second booking after protesting with referee Luca Banti at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, the Italian FA have also ordered Milan to shut its Curva Sud stand for the next home game against Sampdoria as punishment for racist chants by the Rossoneri supporters during the Napoli defeat.

The Rossoneri, who are 11th in the Italian top flight, had another miserable outing as they succumbed to a much superior Napoli side. Napoli, on the other hand, have made a 100% winning start and are joint league leaders with AS Roma.

After the match, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said, “I don’t know what to say about the protests at the end, it is better not to create confusion; the referee has already made up his mind.”