Jamie Vardy will miss Leicester's next three games after an appeal against his red card against Stoke was rejected by an independent regulatory commission.
Vardy was dismissed at the weekend for a two-footed challenge on Mame Diouf, which referee Craig Pawson deemed to be reckless despite connecting with the ball first.
A short disciplinary statement from the Football Association read: "Jamie Vardy will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was rejected.
"The Leicester City striker was sent off for serious foul play during the game at Stoke City on Saturday 17 December 2016."
Vardy will be unavailable for the December 26 clash against Everton, the New Year's Eve game versus West Ham and the trip to Middlesbrough on January 2.
The reigning champion Foxes have struggled in the defence of their Premier League title and they currently lie 15th, a whopping 26 points behind leaders Chelsea after just two wins in their last ten outings.
The 29-year-old England international hasn’t been anything like as sharp as last season, when he finished top scorer, but he will still be missed over a busy festive period.
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admitted the decision was a debatable one following the 2-2 draw at the Bet365 Stadium, but the club appealed after replays suggested Vardy had been knocked off balance moments earlier by Glen Johnson.
Ranieri said after the match: "He wants to challenge and get the ball, not make a foul."If you listen to me I say, 'No' (to a red card), if you listen to Mark Hughes, he says Yes'. But the decision is the referee and he says it's a red card.
"There was a big challenge between Johnson and Vardy. He touched the ball. Maybe it was yellow."
