The Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been given a four-match ban after the Football Association branded his appeal against a violent conduct charge "frivolous".
Ferdinand had denied the charge relating to an incident with Hull City's Craig Fagan last weekend, meaning he was free to play in United's League Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City this week.
United's decision to appeal the charge means what would have been an automatic three-match ban has been increased to four.
Ferdinand, who had just returned for his first game since October because of a back injury, will miss his side's Premier League match at Arsenal this weekend as well as games at home to Portsmouth, away to Aston Villa and away to Everton.
