Joey Barton has admitted that he was "devastated" to learn that his appeal against the red card that he received against Norwich City on Monday had been upheld by the Football Association.
The Queens Park Rangers captain and the club decided to the challenge the decision to dismiss him for clashing with Anthony Pilkington, with Barton claiming that the officials had been "conned".
However, the verdicts stands, meaning that Barton will a return to his former club Newcastle United as part of his three-match suspension.
"Devastated to miss return to SJP (St James' Park) and FA cup tie but life goes on," he wrote on Twitter. "Feel sympathy for those who have never played yet set the rules."
Barton will also miss Saturday's FA Cup match with MK Dons and a league fixture against Wigan Athletic.
