Max Dowman to miss three games after Arsenal’s red card appeal rejected

Arsenal’s appeal against Max Dowman’s red card in their Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood and the three-match suspension imposed has been rejected by an independent commission.

The 16-year-old Dowman was sent off for a kick out at Harrison Neal following a bruising tackle in the 85th minute of the game, which Fleetwood won on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal subsequently lodged an appeal, but the Football Association confirmed on Thursday an independent commission had dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Dowman.

As a result, Dowman will be suspended for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Liverpool as well as their home game with Hull and trip to Newcastle either side of the international break.