AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain's appeal against a two-match ban for a red card and on-pitch meltdown against Juventus has been rejected by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Higuain endured a nightmare showing against parent club Juve in Milan's final game prior to the international break, missing a penalty before receiving his marching orders in the second half.

The Argentina international had to be led off the pitch by team-mates after he reacted furiously to referee Paolo Mazzoleni's decision to show him a straight red card.

Higuain was initially booked for dissent but then dismissed for persisting with his complaints to the official, and his behaviour saw him slapped with a two-match suspension.

Milan lodged an appeal, but that has been rejected by the FIGC, meaning Gennaro Gattuso's men – who are fifth in Serie A – will be without the striker for the matches against Lazio and Parma.

36 - Gonzalo #Higuain is the player to have scored the most goals in a single Serie A campaign (36 goals). Pipita. pic.twitter.com/OA8sj4le67

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) 31 July 2018