Vardy ban 'sad for football', says Ranieri

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is surprised the Football Association declined to overturn Jamie Vardy's three-match ban, calling the decision "sad for football". 

Vardy was dismissed for a late challenge on Mame Biram Diouf during last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stoke City, although replays suggested a tussle with Glen Johnson left the England international off-balance when he went into the tackle.

The FA did not view this as a mitigating factor as they rejected Leicester's appeal against the 29-year-old's suspension, leaving Ranieri seeking an alternative to start the Boxing Day match with Everton at the King Power Stadium.

Nevertheless, the Italian has backed the Premier League champions to pick up victories without their star striker.

"All in England, all the world [people] watch the foul and say it's not a foul," Ranieri said at his pre-match press conference.

"We made an appeal because we believe in something right and we are very disappointed in the result, because when we make a mistake, or when my players make a mistake, we don't appeal. But that wasn't a foul.

"There is a big fight between Glen Johnson and Vardy. Johnson pushes a little more, Vardy loses his body control, and when he arrives he touches the ball. He touched the ball. That's it.

"I am, and all our club is, very surprised. I'm not angry. I'm very sad for football."

Ranieri is buoyed by the memory of Leicester's triumphant march to the Premier League crown last season continuing uninterrupted when Vardy served a ban for being dismissed against West Ham.

"Last year we played Swansea without him and scored four," Ranieri added, although he will also be without banned defensive duo Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs on this occasion.

The Italian's recollections of Everton's previous visit to the King Power Stadium are not as sharp, when the Merseysiders were obliging guests at Leicester's title party.

Opera singer Andrea Bocelli serenaded the masses on the field before a buoyant City stormed to a 3-1 win but Ranieri indicated he has put that memory behind him, concluding: "I remember Bocelli. No more."