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 Wednesday's Manchester derby but also the visit of Birmingham and the subsequent trip to Fulham.
Source: PA
Source: PA