Arsenal have suffered a big blow in their quest to protect teenage phenom Max Dowman after an independent tribunal rejected their appeal against his recent red card. The 16-year-old forward was sent off during a dismal Carabao Cup match for the Gunners, and the club’s attempt to appeal the judgment has officially failed.

The 16-year-old received his marching orders in the 85th minute of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup match against Fleetwood Town. The late dismissal came when Harrison Neal made a strong challenge, which caused the adolescent to react aggressively and kick out at his opponent.

Mikel Arteta’s team eventually departed the competition on penalties after a tense 1-1 stalemate. In order to spare its youth star from a lengthy domestic suspension, the north London club publicly contested the referee’s judgment on the grounds of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment.

The FA confirms the appeal dismissal.

Those hopes were crushed shortly when the Football Association halted Arsenal’s efforts to clean the youngster’s identity. On Thursday, Taking to X an FA spokeswoman confirmed that an independent tribunal would uphold the original on-field decision.

“An independent Regulatory Commission has dismissed claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment for Max Dowman,” the regulator said.

The statement continues as follows: “The Arsenal player was sent off during their EFL Cup game against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday 27 October and will be suspended for three matches.” The FA also stated that the complete written reasons for the commission’s decision would be published in due course.