West Ham United's case to overturn Andy Carroll's three-match ban has failed following a hearing with an independent FA arbitral tribunal.
The Premier League side attended the hearing today after the Football Association rejected the Hammers' initial appeal of the striker's sending-off.
The 25-year-old was issued with a straight red card after appearing to strike the arm across the top of Chico Flores's head during West Ham's 2-0 victory over Swansea City last Saturday.
The independent panel has decided against rescinding the red card, which means that Carroll's three-match ban comes into force immediately.
A statement from the FA said: "An independent arbitration tribunal convened under FA Rule K has today dismissed a legal challenge brought by West Ham United FC and Andy Carroll in relation to the red card received by Carroll in the match between West Ham United FC and Swansea City FC on February 1, 2014.
"The Independent Tribunal resolved that there was no serious issue to be tried and also awarded the FA its costs."
Carroll, who has featured three times since coming back from an Achilles injury, will miss Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Norwich City and Southampton.
Danielle Joynson
