The Manchester City centre back Vincent Kompany will serve a four-match ban after the Football Association dismissed his appeal against the red card he was shown in last weekend's defeat by Manchester United.
The club's influential captain was sent off just 12 minutes into Monday's FA Cup third round match for a clumsy two-footed challenge on United winger Nani and the holders were beaten 3-2 in a thrilling game.
City manager Roberto Mancini had been confident of winning the appeal but must now do without the Belgian for both legs of the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool as well as Premier League matches against Wigan Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur.