Gareth Barry faces ban after being charged with insulting official during Manchester derby

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini faces losing Gareth Barry to suspension after the defensive midfielder was charged by the Football Association.

The fall-out from Sunday's derby defeat to Manchester United continued after the England international was accused of using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

Barry has until 4pm on Thursday to respond to the charge, which Press Association Sport understands arose as a result of an incident after the match.

If he does not contest it the midfielder will receive a one-match ban but should he contest it and the charge be proven against him, the suspension will be increased to two games.

Barry has started 15 of the last 17 matches both domestically and in the Champions League and plays a vital part in the defensive balance of the side which allows the more creative players to get forward with security.

Having lost to United Mancini's side are now six points adrift of their main rivals and only four ahead of third-placed Chelsea.

They have taken five points from a possible 12 and need to get back to winning ways at St James' Park against a Newcastle team who have accrued four points from their last seven matches, with just one victory in their last five.

In the wake of Sunday's controversial encounter, which saw Red Devils' defender Rio Ferdinand hit by a coin as he celebrated his side's late winner and a fan restrained by City goalkeeper Joe Hart after encroaching onto the pitch, a number of people have been charged with various offences.

City gave Greater Manchester Police full access to their stadium CCTV footage at the earliest opportunity to help to identify the person who threw a 2p piece at Ferdinand and attempts are continuing on that front.

However, police investigating a racist tweet sent during the match have arrested a 15-year-old boy.

The teenager was held last night on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence and has since been bailed pending further enquiries, Greater Manchester Police said.

Returning to on-field matters, Mancini has moved to dismiss suggestions Mario Balotelli will be sold despite his stern words for the striker after Sunday's defeat.

Mancini said after the game: "When you have a player that has Mario's quality, you cannot understand why he continues to throw it out of the window."

That sparked speculation the Italy international could soon be returning to his homeland but Mancini told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Balotelli has enormous quality, he is not for sale.

"He is a player of 22 years old who has the quality to change a game at any time. I hope this moment will come soon."

Mancini also played down suggestions City could move for a host of Serie A players in January.

The Italian has no intention of resurrecting his summer approach for Roma's Daniele de Rossi and also denied any interest in Wesley Sneijder, who is out of favour at Inter Milan amid a contract dispute.

AC Milan's Stephane El Shaarawy, Serie A's top scorer, was another name mentioned but Mancini said: "I do not think we can take him, Milan have found a great champion for the future.

"We tried to take De Rossi in the summer, the deal is not going anywhere and the story is over. I think De Rossi remains at Roma, I do not think he will leave.

"Sneijder is a great player, but we have players like (Samir) Nasri and (David) Silva that have similar characteristics. Despite his great quality, Sneijder is not a player that we need."

PA