Manchester City have failed in their appeal to overturn Fernandinho’s red card from their 2-1 win over Burnley on Monday, the Football Association have confirmed.
Fernandinho was shown a straight red card in the 32nd minute on Monday’s home clash with Burnley by referee Lee Mason, which is the second dismissal the Brazilian has received in his last four league matches.
Pep Guardiola was not happy with the decision and City had been hopeful of overturning the decision on appeal but the FA have now upheld the decision and the 31-year-old will serve a four-game ban starting on Friday when City play away to West Ham in the FA Cup third round.
“Fernandinho will serve a four-match suspension with immediate effect after his claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected today [Wednesday 4 January 2017] following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing,” a statement read on the FA’s official website.
“The Manchester City midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the game against Burnley on Monday 2 January 2017. His suspension includes the standard sanction of an additional game as it was his second dismissal of the season.”
Not only will he miss the trip to east London, but Fernandinho is also ruled out for league games Everton, Tottenham and West Ham.
Incredibly, Fernandinho has now been sent off three times in his last six competitive matches for Manchester City, and with Ilkay Gundogan out for the season, it leaves Guardiola incredibly short of options in central midfield.
For more stats on Fernandinho, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
