Mullins and Garcia miss Cup final after FA reject appeal over red cards

Hayden Mullins, of West Ham, and Liverpool's Luis Garcia will miss the FA Cup final after their appeals for wrongful dismissal were rejected by the Football Association yesterday.

The pair received red cards after an incident nine minutes from time during Liverpool's 2-1 victory at Upton Park on Wednesday. Garcia had only been on the field for two minutes when he tangled with Mullins, who then pushed the Spaniard to the floor.

With the possibility of missing the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium next month hanging over their heads, both players appealed. However, the red cards were upheld and they received three-match bans.

The West Ham manager, Alan Pardew, said Mullins would be distressed to miss the game. "I feel very aggrieved and very upset because he has had a fantastic season," Pardew said. "He has been one of our best players. He was my first signing here, I'm very proud of him of what he has done and achieved.

"I for one will be very sad if he misses the final and I know Hayden will be feeling a lot worse than I will be."