West Ham United will be without star forward Manuel Lanzini for their next two matches after his appeal against a diving ban was rejected.
Hammers boss David Moyes hinted on Monday afternoon that he would attempt to overturn the suspension, which was handed to the 24-year-old for perceived simulation against Stoke City at the weekend.
The Football Association has acted quickly by upholding the original decision, however, meaning that the Argentine ace will sit out games against Arsenal in the EFL Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Lanzini has been charged with "successful deception of a match official" after going to ground under a challenge from Erik Pieters in the Hammers' 3-0 win on Saturday afternoon, with a three-man panel ruling that the contact was not sufficient.
An FA statement read: "Manuel Lanzini will serve a two-match suspension with immediate effect after his denial of a charge of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' was rejected.
"It follows the awarding of an 18th minute penalty for West Ham United against Stoke City on Saturday 16 December 2017. An Independent Regulatory Commission found the charge proven at a hearing today [Tuesday 19 December 2017]."
Lanzini becomes the second Premier League player to face retrospective action for diving, a month after Everton striker Oumar Niasse also had an appeal rejected.
Daniel Lewis
