Nice striker Balotelli banned for two matches

Football Soccer - Nice v Dijon - French Ligue 1 - Allianz Riviera stadium, Nice, France 18/12/16. Nice's Mario Balotelli is seen before the match. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

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 Dec. 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 Jan. 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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