Mario Balotelli was handed a two-match ban Thursday after being sent off for an off-the-ball incident in last month’s 0-0 draw at Bordeaux, his club Nice said.
The Italian striker and team-mate Younes Belhanda — who was given a one-match ban — were dismissed in the dying seconds as Bordeaux frustrated the Ligue 1 leaders before the winter break.
Balotelli was given his marching orders for lashing out at Bordeaux defender Igor Lewczuk.
“It is a logical decision,” Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere, flanked by Balotelli and Belhanda, said after a disciplinary hearing in Paris.
The colourful Balotelli, who has had numerous run-ins with officials in the Premier League and in Italy, will miss the French Cup against Lorient on Sunday and the visit of Metz in the league on January 15.
Influential playmaker Belhanda was sidelined anyway with a toe injury.
This post was last modified on November 30, 2018 1:52 pm
Former Sporting Lagos head coach, Paul Offor, has revealed that he has no regrets over… Read More
The English Football Association have commissioned Nigerian artist Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, popularly known as Olaolu Slawn,… Read More
Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface have recently added their names to the prestigious list of… Read More
Soccernet.ng kept tabs on dozens of matches potentially featuring Nigerian footballers across different leagues worldwide… Read More
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface flew his childhood coach Johnson Blessing to Germany to celebrate… Read More
The once bright presence of Nigerian footballer Peter Etebo has dimmed in the eyes of… Read More
