THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION have rejected Papy Djilobodji's appeal against a violent conduct charge - and issued the Sunderland centre-half with a four-match ban.

Djilobodji was charged after he was caught on camera thrusting a hand into Darren Fletcher's face during the closing stages of last weekend's 2-0 defeat at West Brom.

The defender, who has already had one sending off this season in a game against Hull, opted to contest the charge, but an independent FA hearing this morning his attempts to have the suspension overturned.

As a result, Djilobodji will have to sit out Sunderland's Premier League matches with Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Everton.

He will not be available to return to David Moyes until the home game with Manchester City on Sunday, March 5.

An FA statement said: "Papy Djilobodji will serve a four-match suspension with immediate effect after his violent conduct charge was found proven.

"It was alleged the Sunderland defender was involved in a 86th minute incident with West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher on Saturday [21 January 2017] which was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video.

"He denied the charge, however it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

"The suspension includes the additional standard game as it was the player’s second dismissal this season."

Papy Djilobodji will serve a four-match suspension with immediate effect after his violent conduct charge was found proven.

It was alleged the Sunderland defender was involved in a 86th minute incident with West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher on Saturday [21 January 2017] which was not seen by the match officials but was caught on video.

He denied the charge, however it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

The suspension includes the additional standard game as it was the player’s second dismissal this season.