City accept Balotelli ban

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has accepted a violent conduct charge against him and subsequently a four-match ban.

The Football Association confirmed to Press Association Sport that City informed them they would not be challenging the four-match suspension, punishment for Balotelli's apparent stamp on Tottenham's Scott Parker at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Balotelli misses the Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool and the Barclays Premier League encounters with Everton, Fulham and Aston Villa.

The FA confirmed the outcome shortly after Wednesday night's 6pm deadline to submit an appeal.

City assistant manager David Platt hinted at the course of action on Tuesday, although it is believed City officials debated long and hard about it as they are still not entirely convinced referee Howard Webb failed to spot the original incident last weekend.

Even so, it would be a difficult case to argue given Webb states otherwise and there was a possibility the ban could be extended for a frivolous appeal.