Heung-min Son will serve a three-match suspension in the Premier League after Tottenham failed in their appeal against his red card against Chelsea.
The forward was handed his third red card of the season - though his second was overturned - during the second half of the 2-0 loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when VAR showed him kicking out at Antonio Rudiger in retaliation to being fouled.
Despite Spurs launching an appeal, the Football Association determined the red card stands, meaning the 27-year-old will now miss the matches at home to Brighton on Boxing Day, and at Norwich and Southampton on Saturday and New Year's Day respectively.
Referee Anthony Taylor initially opted not to penalise Son for the challenge on Chelsea defender Rudiger, but VAR official Paul Tierney decided differently and advised Taylor to issue a red card.
It was the third red card for Son in 2019 as he was also sent off for pushing Jefferson Lerma at Bournemouth last season, then for a challenge on Everton's Andre Gomes in November that broke the midfielder's ankle. Spurs also appealed against both dismissals, winning the latter.
Son's absence serves as a blow to boss Jose Mourinho at a time when the club is trying to force its way back into the top four as the forward has scored 10 goals this season, albeit with only one in his last seven appearances.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
