AC Milan confirmed on Monday it will appeal Mario Balotelli's three-match ban.

Balotelli received a red card for confronting the officials after Milan's 2-1 loss to Napoli at home on Sunday.

After the disciplinary committee decided on Monday to hand him a three-game suspension, the injury-depleted Rossoneri immediately announced their intention to appeal the sentence.

A statement on the team's official website read: "Milan announces that we will complain against the suspensions of Mario Balotelli and the Curva Sud."

Balotelli, who missed a penalty for the first time in his professional career before scoring late in Sunday's match, was shown his second card after the final whistle for his protests.

The Italy striker will miss the next three matches for making "insulting and intimidating comments" toward the referee, according to the disciplinary committee's statement.

Balotelli will miss games against Bologna, Sampdoria and Juventus.

Milan will also have its Curva Sud section shut for the next home game against Sampdoria as punishment for racist chanting during the loss to Napoli.

(China Daily 09/25/2013 page24)