Jamie Vardy ban 'sad for football', says Claudio Ranieri
Friday 23 December 2016 14:34, UK
Claudio Ranieri says he is "sad for football" after Leicester failed to overturn Jamie Vardy's red card against Stoke.
A disciplinary panel upheld referee Craig Pawson's decision to dismiss Vardy for a two-footed tackle on Mame Biram Diouf, ruling out the striker for City's next three games.
Leicester's chairman called the decision one that could "distort the charm of the Premier League", and Ranieri was equally dispirited at his pre-Christmas press conference.
He said: "All in England, all the world watch the foul and say it's not a foul.
"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 the football."
Vardy is one of three Leicester players banned for the Boxing Day visit of Everton, with Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth also missing.
Ranieri is considering using Daniel Amartey at centre-half, while Danny Drinkwater is "50/50" after resuming training on Friday following a knee injury.
