City lose Balotelli appeal

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has lost his appeal against his three-match ban after being sent off against West Brom on Sunday.

The Football Association today upheld the straight red card that Balotelli was shown for a tangle with Youssouf Mulumbu.

An FA statement said: “At a Regulatory Commission hearing today, a claim that the standard punishment is clearly excessive from Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli was dismissed. As a result, Balotelli will serve a three match suspension with immediate effect.”

The decision means the 20-year-old Italy international will miss not only tomorrow’s Manchester derby but also the visit of Birmingham and the subsequent trip to Fulham.