Stoke's appeal against Robert Huth's red card in Saturday's defeat by Sunderland has been dismissed by the Football Association.
Potters defender to serve three-match suspension
Stoke's appeal against Robert Huth's red card in Saturday's defeat by Sunderland has been dismissed by the Football Association.
The Potters defender was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson on the stroke of half-time at the blizzard-hit Britannia Stadium after catching David Meyler with a late sliding challenge.
Television replays suggested that Huth was attempting to pull out of the tackle, with his momentum on the treacherous surface carrying him into Meyler and sending him cartwheeling into the air.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis was incensed by the decision and accused the Sunderland man of 'cheating', with the club lodging an immediate appeal in the wake of the 1-0 defeat.
Immediate effect
But an independent regulatory commission appointed by the FA has rejected the Potters' pleas, with Huth now due to serve a three-match ban.
The Germany defender will now miss Saturday's trip to Fulham, the FA Cup fifth round clash with Crawley the following Sunday and a home Premier League date with Swansea on 26th February.
A statement from the FA read: "An Independent Regulatory Commission has today [Tuesday 7 February] dismissed a claim of wrongful dismissal from Stoke City's Robert Huth.
"The defender will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect following his red card for serious foul play in the game against Sunderland on 4 February 2012."
