Crystal Palace have seen their appeal over Jean‑Philippe Mateta’s red card rejected after the loss to Tottenham on Saturday.
The striker received a straight red from referee Michael Oliver for a late challenge on Micky van de Ven when the score was still nil‑nil, just 13 minutes in.
Oliver initially flashed a yellow, but the VAR review upgraded it to a dismissal.
The French forward now faces a three‑match ban – missing Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, the 21 November visit to Coventry and the 29 November home game against Hull.
The Liverpool fixture could spell trouble for Pierre Sage’s tenure if results don’t improve.
The Eagles sit 18th in the Premier League with seven points from nine games, having lost their last three, conceding nine and failing to score.
Mateta clipped Spurs defender Van de Ven on the ankle, but Palace argue the contact was accidental.
Sources say the 29‑year‑old claimed his focus was on the ball and he didn’t see the Dutch centre‑back.
Mateta remains eligible for Palace’s Thursday Europa League home tie with Hoffenheim and the 26 November visit from Real Sociedad.