FA Rejects Arsenal Appeal Over Dowman Red Card

The Football Association rejected Arsenal’s appeal against Max Dowman’s red card for kicking out at Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal, leaving the 16-year-old to serve a three-match ban in domestic competitions. He will miss Sunday’s Premier League visit to Liverpool and league games against Hull City and Newcastle, but remains eligible for Arsenal’s Champions League match against Slavia Prague. Dowman was sent off late in a 1-1 League Cup draw that fourth-tier Fleetwood won 5-3 on penalties, one of the competition’s major upsets. Mikel Arteta said he was disappointed by the appeal ruling and concerned Dowman could have been injured, but defended his stern reaction and said the teenager must learn to manage his emotions and meet the demands of elite football. It was Dowman’s second red card this month, following another while representing England’s Under-19s.