Joe Ralls to serve three-game ban after FA reject Cardiff appeal against red card for tackle on Lucas Moura

The 24-year-old was sent off by referee Mike Dean at Wembley to the fury of Neil Warnock

Cardiff City have had their appeal against the red card shown to defender Joe Ralls against Tottenham Hotspur rejected by the Football Association.

Ralls was sent off by referee Mike Dean for cynically taking down Lucas Moura as the Brazilian attempted to run past him in the 58th minute of Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Cardiff at Wembley.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock claimed that Spurs striker Harry Kane had influenced Dean’s decision with the strength of his protests against Ralls’ tackle, which he described as “very soft”.

“At that stage [of the match] with half an hour to go, on the halfway line… it wasn't a dangerous tackle, he hasn't endangered the life of a player so I don't know why it's a red card," Warnock said in his post-match press conference.

But the FA disagreed with his assessment, meaning Ralls will serve a three-match ban for violent conduct. He will miss Cardiff’s game against Fulham, Liverpool and Leicester City.

In response to Warnock’s complaints, Kane said: “He has kicked one of our players [at] knee height and the ref said to me that the fourth official helped him out so it is what it is.

“I guess managers are going to get angry. It’s part of the game. But their player has looked at our player and he has kicked him higher than he ever should. So for me it was a red card and the right decision.”

Cardiff are mired along with Newcastle at the foot of the Premier League table, having drawn two and lost six of their opening eight matches this season.