Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss three matches after the club lost its appeal against his red card in Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The France international was sent off by referee Michael Oliver for a late challenge on Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven during the encounter, which was still goalless after 13 minutes.
Oliver initially showed Mateta a yellow card but upgraded it to a straight red following a review by the Video Assistant Referee.
Palace challenged the decision, arguing that the contact was accidental, but their appeal was unsuccessful.
As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the 29-year-old will now miss Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, the away fixture against Coventry City on November 21 and the home meeting with Hull City on November 29.
Mateta reportedly maintained that his attention was on the ball and that he did not see Van de Ven before making contact with the defender’s ankle.
Despite the suspension, the striker will remain available for Palace’s Europa League fixtures against Hoffenheim on Thursday and Real Sociedad on November 26.
His absence from the Premier League fixtures comes at a difficult time for Palace manager Pierre Sage, whose position could come under further scrutiny following the club’s disappointing start to the campaign.
The Eagles are 18th in the Premier League table, with seven points from nine matches.
Palace have also lost their last three league games, scoring no goals and conceding nine in the process.
The defeat to Tottenham and Mateta’s subsequent suspension represent further setbacks for Sage as he seeks to improve the club’s league position.
