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FA rejects Chelsea appeal against James ban

Chelsea have had their attempts to overturn Reece James’s three-match ban rejected by the Football Association.

The Blues captain, 24, will miss the first three matches of next season because of his red card for violent conduct, after fouling Brighton striker Joao Pedro last month.

James was banned for four matches, including Chelsea's final-day win over Bournemouth, having earned an additional one-game ban as it was his second red card of the season.

Chelsea’s appeal claimed James was “disoriented” after being fouled from behind and that Pedro “made contact” first as he ran past, adding: “it had not been his intention to harm Mr Pedro, he was simply pushing him away with his foot".