Manchester City lose appeal over Vincent Kompany's United red card

By Dean Wilkins

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany lost his appeal against Sunday’s red card decision this afternoon.

The Football Association has rejected the defender’s appeal against the red card he received during Manchester City’s 2-3 defeat to rivals United and will now miss the next four matches.

The ban has not been increased to five matches, something that many feared would happen if the appeal was rejected.

An FA statement said: "The suspension consists of a statutory three-match suspension for serious foul play plus one additional game given this is Kompany's second dismissal of the season."

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was confident that his captain would not receive a ban as the referee made an “obvious error.”

He said: "I am sure that we will win [the appeal]".

Kompany, 25, will serve the ban immediately for his two-footed tackle on Nani.

During the half-time break, numerous pundits and media presenters felt that the tackle was not malicious and did not deserve a yellow card.

The Belgian international will miss the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool and the return tie on January 25.

He will also be absent from the league trip to Wigan on Monday and the home game against Tottenham on January 22.

Micah Richards received Kompany’s captain armband after his dismissal on Sunday and reacted on Twitter to the decision.

He tweeted: “Very disappointed with the decision!!!!! Another blow for us but we have to stay together! We will give 100% for our captain.”

The club are now struggling with a growing injury list with further players unavailable because they are on international duty.

"All the people think we have a lot of players," Mancini said. "But we have 19, plus keepers. It is not a big squad.

David Silva is a doubt for Wednesday's home tie against Liverpool, along with fellow strikers Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko, while Yaya and Kolo Toure are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

City have spent approximately £250m on new players since the Italian took charge at the club two years ago.

Kompany’s four-match ban:

January 11 - Liverpool (h) Carling Cup semi-final first leg

January 16 - Wigan (a) Premier League

January 22 - Tottenham (h) Premier League

January 25 - Liverpool (a) Carling Cup semi-final second leg