Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Vermaelen loses card appeal

23 Mar 2010 - 16:15:40

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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will serve his three-match ban after failing with an appeal to have his red card from Saturday's victory over West Ham rescinded.

The Gunners had asked the Football Association to reconsider the red card shown to the Belgium defender during the 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Vermaelen was adjudged by referee Martin Atkinson and his assistant Phil Sharp to have pushed over Guillermo Franco as the last man and was sent off just before the interval.

The Hammers went on to miss the resulting penalty as the Gunners claimed a crucial three points.

However, the FA has rejected the appeal over the dismissal and the centre-half will now begin his ban with Saturday's trip to Birmingham City.

Speaking after the match, Arsene Wenger had criticised the 44th minute sending off.

"I felt it was very harsh," he said. "We have seen this situation so many times in the game without it being punished at all."