Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli could be hit by a nine match ban in the aftermath of his antics at Arsenal.

The Daily Mail says Balotelli is facing a nine-game 'totting up' ban after the FA revealed they are deciding whether to punish his studs-up tackle on Arsenal's Alex Song, which referee Martin Atkinson missed.

Balotelli was sent off anyway late in the defeat by Arsenal for a second yellow card. He already misses one game for that sending off and an extra two because it was his third red of the season.

He has been shown two reds on the pitch, plus another retrospective ban for his stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker.

He could be banned for a further three games for the Song tackle and then for another three because that would count as his fourth red.