Liverpool striker Sadio Mane’s three-match suspension upheld by FA after claim of excessive punishment rejected
SADIO MANE'S three-match suspension has been upheld by the FA after Liverpool's claim of excessive punishment was rejected following his red card for kicking Ederson in the head.
The challenge was deemed serious foul play by referee Jonathan Moss, who gave the 25-year-old his marching orders during the Reds' 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
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Liverpool were appealing the length of the ban rather than the red card itself, but it has been waved away by the FA's disciplinary committee.
Ederson was KO'd on the field of play for eight minutes after the challenge and was given oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher.
Pictures of the former Benfica goalkeeper showed a series of stitches in the side of his face covered by a huge dressing.
Mane will miss Liverpool's matches against Burnley on Saturday, Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and the same opponents at the King Power Stadium four days later.
He will be eligible for selection against Sevilla tomorrow night though, as well as Spartak Moscow on September 26, three days after his domestic suspension ends anyway.
Newcastle away will be his first match back for Jurgen Klopp's side on October 1.
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Mane was named Premier League player of the month for August after his stellar start to the campaign.
And he apologised to Brazilian Ederson after the incident.
He posted on Instagram: "I hope and wish Ederson a quick recovery.
"I am so sorry he was hurt during our accidental collision on the pitch and am sorry for him that he could not complete the match because of it.
"I pray he heals fast and is back playing very soon because he is highest quality player."
Ederson trained at the Etihad Campus before flying with Pep Guardiola's squad to Holland as his side get set to face Feyenoord in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday.
