Arsenal's appeal rejected

Mar 23 2010

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen must serve a one-match suspension after his appeal against the red card received in Saturday's victory over West Ham was rejected.

Vermaelen was dismissed in the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium after referee Martin Atkinson judged his foul on Guillermo Franco had prevented a goalscoring opportunity.

The Football Association heard the claim for wrongful dismissal on Tuesday afternoon but decided Atkinson had made the correct call.

Vermaelen, 24, will now miss Saturday's trip to Birmingham.