By RYAN TOLMICH

Despite his appeal, Chelsea forward Diego Costa will miss out on the team’s next three contests, including this week’s clash with Manchester City, a match that could very well have EPL title implications.

The English FA announced Friday that Costa’s suspension has been upheld after the Spanish forward was seen stomping on Liverpool’s Emre Can in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup clash at Stamford Bridge. Costa had appealed the FA’s original ruling.

As a result, Costa will miss out on matches with Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton while serving his suspension.

Costa has scored 17 goals in 19 games for Chelsea, which currently sits five points ahead of Man City at the top of the table.

Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Friday morning:

RONALDINHO PLACED IN SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAM SANS RUNNING

Having enjoyed an 18-year professional career, Queretaro’s Ronaldinho has grown tired of running, and the club’s coaches have been more than happy to oblige him in not doing so.

Queretaro fitness coach Roberto Bassagaisteguy says that the club has put together a special fitness program for the Brazilian legend. In addition, Bassagaisteguy says that constant running in practice is a thing of the past, as training has evolved.

“He does not do physical exercise — I cannot make him run because he doesn’t like it,” the coach said. “He works in the gym with me, lifts weights and works with a group of special players. He does work on his speed, sprints and jumps, but there are things he doesn’t like.

“Working in another way, (players) can still achieve the same physical condition. Ask the coach of Barcelona if he forces Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta or Xavi to run. Training has changed, as has football.”

BLATTER SAYS LACK OF AUSTRALIAN WORLD CUP IS AN ‘UNFORTUNATE OMISSION’

Sepp Blatter is beginning his run for a fifth term, and the FIFA president has kicked things off by expressing his faith in Australia.

The FIFA President says that the lack of Australian-based World Cup during his tenure is an “unfortunate omission,” as Blatter believes the nation has the culture required to host.

“Australia is the only continent never to have hosted the World Cup finals, although the 1981 and 1993 Under-20 World Cups took place there,” Blatter wrote in a column. “That is basically an unfortunate omission in sporting history because very few countries boast such a rich sporting culture and long list of champions.

“Sport, with football in a central role, is a defining element in day-to-day life in Australia, not least for women and youths. So we can say with confidence that it would be more than deserved if Australia were to stage the World Cup at some point.”

Australia gained just a single vote in the country’s campaign to host the 2022 World Cup, which was eventually and controversially awarded to Qatar.

Blatter is set to run for reelection in the coming months, and the incumbent president will be opposed by Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch federation president Michael van Praag, Portuguese legend Luis Figo and France’s Jerome Champagne.

AGENT TELLS BALOTELLI TO ADAPT AT LIVERPOOL

Mario Balotelli will succeed at Liverpool or continue to be marooned on the club’s bench, according to his agent.

Mino Raiola says that he will not swoop in to save the Italian forward with a move, although Balotelli has struggled mightily since moving to Liverpool in August. Instead, Raiola says it is up to Balotelli to learn to adapt to his new side.

“I saw him on Monday and said: ‘You’ve got a [long] contract and I’m not taking you away. Either you leave Liverpool for $70m or $80m and I win the bet or you die there’,” Raiola said. “It’s the first time that I’ve had such a conversation with a player. I saw that he was calm, changed, different with respect to Milan. Very disappointed in himself too.

“He is going through times he’s never had before. Before everybody wanted him to do well. He had space. At Liverpool, no: either you do as we say or you stay out [of the team]. Then he was out injured for eight weeks. He lost rhythm.”

Raiola, who admitted that orchestrating Balotelli’s move from Manchester City to AC Milan was a mistake, says that the Italian forward is slowly becoming a changed man due to his experiences at Liverpool.

“The real Mario has the ability to be the best in the world but not the character,” Raiola said. “And this phase at Liverpool is the most important lesson he has had. He has a sensational physique. Ronaldo does too but to keep it he has to drink mineral water.

“Mario eats spaghetti, cotoletta, he drinks iced tea. Now he is applying himself well. His private life is more settled. And there’s no sense in asking whether Liverpool is the right place: it’s the only place.”

QUICK KICKS

Aston Villa announced Friday that the club has added Scott Sinclair from Manchester City on a season-long loan. (REPORT)

Chelsea midfielder Andre Schurrle is reportedly close to finalizing a move to Wolfsburg. (REPORT)

Franck Ribery will miss Bayern Munich’s matchup with Wolfsburg after suffering a training injury. (REPORT)

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is set to miss a month of action with a muscle rupture. (REPORT)

—-

What do you think of the FA’s decision? How will Ronaldinho fare this season? Do you believe Blatter’s assessment of Australia, or is it merely politicking? How can Balotelli recover with Liverpool?

Share your thoughts below.