FA rejects Knight appeal

Defender to miss trip to Wigan

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 28th December 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA rejects Knight appeal

Knight: Failed appeal

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The Football Association has rejected Aston Villa defender Zat Knight's claim for wrongful dismissal against Chelsea.

Knight was given his marching orders during Villa's Boxing Day draw with Chelsea at a stage in the match when Martin O'Neill's side led 2-0

Referee Phil Dowd adjudged Knight to have felled Michael Ballack in the 18-yard area to allow Chelsea back into the game, which eventually finished 4-4, as Andrei Shevchenko converted from the spot.

O'Neill was left incensed by the decision and opted to appeal to the FA in a bid to have Knight's impending suspension overturned.

However, the FA has rejected Villa's appeal and Knight will now serve a one-match ban which will see him miss Saturday's trip to Wigan.

O'Neill told Villa's official website: "We are obviously disappointed because we felt we had a case.

"But we abide by the decision and prepare for Saturday's important game at Wigan without him."

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