Ban stands for Newcastle´s Williamson

Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has had his three-match ban for violent conduct upheld by the English Football Association.

The 27-year-old received the three-match sanction from the FA on Monday, following an incident with Bolton striker Johan Elmander in Newcastle’s 5-1 English Premier League loss to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Williamson appealed that decision on Tuesday, but a sitting of an FA regulatory commission on Wednesday elected to uphold the ban.

The Newcastle defender was charged after a video review of the match, with the off-the-ball incident missed by referee Howard Webb.

The ban means Williamson is ruled out of Newcastle’s upcoming matches with Chelsea at St James’ Park, West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns and Liverpool at home.