Mario Balotelli gets three-match ban

MAVERICK forward Mario Balotelli was given a three-match ban yesterday for insulting the fourth official at the end of AC Milan’s 2-2 draw at Fiorentina at the weekend.

Balotelli was due to face an automatic one-match suspension for accumulating four yellow cards when he was needlessly booked for failing to retreat at a free kick. But Serie A’s disciplinary commissioner said in a statement he had added another two matches after Balotelli’s angry altercation with the match official. Balotelli had earlier been fined by his club after he was caught smoking in the toilet of the train taking the team to Florence for the match.