Ayala red card appeal rejected by FA

Cape Town - Middlesbrough have revealed that an appeal against Daniel Ayala's red card in the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday has been unsuccessful.

The Spanish defender was sent off in the 59th minute of Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash at the Riverside Stadium for blocking Fernando Forestieri's route to goal, just moments after Grant Leadbitter had given Boro the lead.

Ayala contested referee David Coote's decision, claiming the dismissal was excessive, but the Football Association has rejected the appeal.

The 26-year-old centre-back will sit out the next three games for Aitor Karanka's side against Watford, West Ham and Accrington Stanley.

A statement from the FA read: "Daniel Ayala will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment claims were unsuccessful, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

READ | Dani Ayala will serve a suspension following an @FA hearing.
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— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 10, 2017

"The Middlesbrough defender was sent off for serious foul play during The FA Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday [8 January 2017]."

The Boro face Watford in an away English Premiership fixture at Vicarage Road Stadium on Saturday with a win seeing Karanka's men leap-frog their opponents in the standings.

Kick off is at 17:00.(SA Time)