Caldwell loses red card appeal

Sunderland have lost their appeal for wrongful dismissal over Steve Caldwell’s sending-off against Fulham.

The defender was dismissed for denying Heidar Helguson a goalscoring opportunity in his side’s 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Sunderland announced their attention to contest the decision yesterday but a Football Association disciplinary commission have rejected the appeal.

Black Cats manager Mick McCarthy had been critical of the red card but Caldwell will now be suspended for this weekend’s FA Cup third-round tie against Northwich Victoria.

The Scotland international’s 57th-minute dismissal proved crucial to the outcome with Collins John grabbing Fulham’s winner four minutes later.