IMAGE: Nice's Mario Balotelli (left) reacts after being carded by the referee during his match against Girondins Bordeaux on December 21, 2016. Photograph: Regis Duvignau/Reuters
Mario Balotelli has been banned for two games after being sent off near the end of Nice's 0-0 draw with Girondins de Bordeaux on December 21, Ligue 1's disciplinary said on Thursday.
The 26-year-old was shown a straight red card for kicking Bordeaux defender Igor Lewczuk.
The Italian international will miss the Ligue 1 leaders' games against Lorient on Sunday and Metz on January 15.
Nice coach Lucien Favre was handed a suspended two-match ban for his behaviour towards match officials following the game against Bordeaux.
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