Former AC Milan coach Cesare Maldini has slammed Mario Balotelli after he was banned for three games for insulting the ref.

Maldini criticised the player for his outburst at the end of a 2-1 defeat to Napoli on Sunday.

"Unfortunately, Balotelli being in this situation is nothing new," former Italy and Milan Maldini told TMW.

"He always behaves like this and this time we didn't even understand what sparked it. Massimiliano Allegri told him off, but it's the club that has to deal with the player.

"There's no appeal because we knew it would end this way, so I am not surprised by the club's decision to let the ban go.

"The player must understand he made a mistake, because this way he is damaging the team that has to play for three rounds without him."