MATETA GETS THREE-MATCH BAN AS CRYSTAL PALACE LOSE RED CARD APPEAL

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss three Premier League matches after the club’s appeal against his red card was rejected.

The France international was dismissed during Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham following a challenge on defender Micky van de Ven in the 13th minute.

Referee Michael Oliver initially showed a yellow card before upgrading it to a straight red after a VAR review.

Palace argued that the contact was accidental. Mateta reportedly said he was watching the ball and had not seen Van de Ven before catching his ankle.

The unsuccessful appeal means the 29-year-old will miss the trip to Liverpool, the away match against Coventry City on November 21 and the home fixture against Hull City on November 29.

He remains eligible for Palace’s Europa League games against Hoffenheim and Real Sociedad because the suspension applies to domestic competition.

The ban adds to a difficult period for manager Pierre Sage, with Palace sitting 18th in the Premier League on seven points from nine matches.

The Eagles have lost their last three league games, conceding nine goals without scoring. They must now try to reverse that run without Mateta for their next three league fixtures.