Thursday 4 February 2016 17:37, UK
Saracens and England wing Chris Ashton will have to serve a 10-week ban after an independent committee rejected his appeal.
Ashton was handed the suspension for making contact with the eye(s) or eye area of Ulster's Luke Marshall during a Champions Cup match on January 16.
And the 28-year-old, who had been recalled to the England squad for the Six Nations, will now have to sit out the tournament.
Ashton pulled Marshall to the ground with his left arm in the first half of the Champions Cup clash, while also grabbing the Ireland international's face with his right hand.
After he was cited for the incident, independent judicial officer Jean-Noel Couraud ruled that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card.
The player pleaded not guilty at a hearing last week and appealed against the severity of the punishment but, having adjourned the hearing on Wednesday, the appeal panel announced on Thursday morning that the suspension will remain in place.
Ashton will be free to return to action on Monday, March 28 but the lengthy ban is a massive blow to the winger, who had managed to force his way back into the England reckoning.
He has been capped 39 times since making his debut in 2010, scoring 19 tries, but lost his place during Stuart Lancaster's spell in charge and has not represented his country since June 2014.
This season's Six Nations ends on March 19, nine days before Ashton can play again, but he will be available for Saracens' Champions Cup quarter-final against Northampton on April 9.
Following the verdict, Ashton said: "I'm incredibly disappointed with today's decision, but I now plan to look ahead to the rest of the season and work as hard as I can during my ban.
"I'd like to thank Saracens and my legal team for all their hard work and support throughout this. I vehemently maintain that I have never made an attempt to intentionally make contact with the eye area of any other player.
"To miss out on the chance to represent my country and Saracens during this period is extremely disappointing, but the judgement stands and it is one that I will respect and accept."
I'd like to thank Saracens and my legal team for all their hard work and support throughout this. I vehemently maintain that I have never made an attempt to intentionally make contact with the eye area of any other player.
Sarries chief executive Mark McCall added: "The club has been fully supportive of Chris throughout this process and wanted to ensure that everything possible was done to support his case.
"Saracens and Chris are obviously disappointed by the ramifications of today's news, but we now have to accept this decision. We are thankful to the Appeal Committee for considering Chris's case and for the opportunity to put his case forward.
"Chris now plans to work hard during this enforced time away from playing to ensure that, after his suspension, he can perform well for Saracens, and help the club to a successful season."
