AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to sit out the Milan derby after being banned for three games on Monday for his misconduct in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Bari.

The Swede was sent off 17 minutes from time for hitting Marco Rossi in the chest in an off-the-ball incident and the Serie A said in a statement on Monday that its disciplinary commissioner had ruled the offense serious enough for a three-game ban.

The suspension of their main attacker comes at a terrible time for league leaders Milan with just nine games left in the season. Milan lead defending champions Inter by five points but Ibrahimovic will now be forced to sit out next weekend's trip to Palermo, the derby with Inter and the trip to Fiorentina.

AC Milan, who only have Alexandre Pato as a fit striker, said in a statement they would appeal the severity of the ban.