Courtois red card appeal fails
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss Chelsea's trip to Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday after the Football Association on Tuesday upheld his dismissal against Swansea City.
Chelsea made a claim of wrongful dismissal after the Belgium international was sent off for felling Bafetimbi Gomis on the edge of the area during his side's 2-2 draw with the Welsh club last Saturday.
But the FA found there were no grounds to overturn the decision, meaning Asmir Begovic will step in for Courtois at the Etihad Stadium.
"A claim of wrongful dismissal submitted by Chelsea in relation to Thibaut Courtois has been unsuccessful following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing earlier today (Tuesday), the FA said in a statement.
"The goalkeeper was dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute of Chelsea's game against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (8 August 2015).
"Therefore, the player's one-match suspension, which is the standard penalty for this offence, remains with immediate effect.
"For a club to be successful with a claim of wrongful dismissal, it must prove to an Independent Regulatory Commission via written and/or video evidence that the match referee made an obvious error."