Marko Stamenic will miss the south Wales derby against Cardiff City after Swansea City lost their appeal against his red card at Birmingham.
The midfielder now serves a three-match ban. It rules him out of games against top-six sides West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, as well as the visit of the Bluebirds.
Derby back at the Swansea.com Stadium
Cardiff come to the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday 29 November, back in the Championship after their relegation.
It will be the first meeting between the clubs since January 2025.
Sent off at St Andrew’s
Stamenic was shown a straight red card after 26 minutes at St Andrew’s for a heavy challenge on Ethan Laird, and the ten men went on to lose 2-1.
It was the Swans’ fourth defeat in five Championship games.
Head coach Vitor Matos defended the midfielder after the game.
The club appealed to the Football Association, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
‘It’s just harsh’
Matos insisted the decision was down to the referee’s judgement alone, and said: “There’s no contact between the two players, so then it’s the judgement of the ref if that’s a red or not.”
He pointed to his time in the English game: “I am here already [in English football] for a good amount of time, I was here before.”
He added: “I saw so many challenges worse than this in the last game. Some of these challenges end up with players injured.”
He went on: “It’s just harsh when we have this challenge and then there’s a red card.”
An extended break
Stamenic has started all but three of the Swans’ league games this season.
The 48-cap New Zealand international was also rested from his country’s squad for their friendlies against India, so he now faces an extended break.
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