Soccer: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 upheld the straight red card that Balotelli was shown for a tangle with Youssouf Mulumbu.
An FA statement said: "At a Regulatory Commission hearing, 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 Italy international will miss not only Wednesday night's Manchester derby but also the visit of Birmingham and the subsequent trip to Fulham.
Boss Roberto Mancini has defended Balotelli.
The 20-year-old has endured a mixed start to his Eastlands career, suffering a knee injury and being booked twice before the Albion game.
Asked if he was concerned about Balotelli's attitude, Mancini said: "Mario is a young guy, a top player, sometimes he can make a mistake. That is normal.
"In the last game the punishment was too severe. I hope he can improve in all ways. When you are a young guy you must improve day by day. That is important."
An FA statement read: "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."
Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong has revealed that some of the senior players have spoken to Balotelli and told him to keep his temper under control.
De Jong told the Manchester Evening News: "When you are on a yellow card you have to watch yourself, especially in an away game.
"He needs to learn from it and stay focused on his football and not talk too much.
"If it is me, Carlos (Tevez) or Vinny (Vincent Kompany) we always try to tell him he has to stop talking and concentrate on his game.
"But it is not easy for him. He is 20 and has come into the Premier League from Italy, which is a different game for him.
"He knows now what happens and that you can leave your team-mates at a disadvantage because you end up playing with 10 men."