Sunderland's Papy Djilobodji banned for four games after losing appeal
Friday 27 January 2017 12:59, UK
Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji will serve a four-match suspension after losing his appeal against a violent conduct charge.
Djilobodji was handed the charge after Saturday's 2-0 Premier League loss to West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Referee Craig Pawson did not see an incident late in the match in which Djilobodji struck out at Baggies captain Darren Fletcher but the Sunderland man was charged on the basis of video evidence.
An FA statement on Friday read: "Papy Djilobodji will serve a four-match suspension with immediate effect after his violent conduct charge was found proven.
"It was alleged the Sunderland defender was involved in a 86th-minute incident with West Bromwich Albion's Darren Fletcher on Saturday which was not seen by the match officials, but was caught on video.
"He denied the charge. However, it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing."
A four-game ban, rather than the standard three, was imposed because it was Djilobodji's second dismissal this season.
Bottom club Sunderland will be without the centre-back until March 5, meaning he will miss Premier League games against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Everton.
