Bristol Rovers’ appeal to have Paul Coutts’ red card at Rochdale overturned has been unsuccessful with the FA upholding the original decision and four-game suspension.
Rovers will now be without their captain for Saturday’s crucial game against Scunthorpe United, and then either the entirety of the play-off campaign or the first three games of next season, depending on what unfolds.
Coutts was dismissed in injury time for violent conduct after an off-the-ball incident with a Rochdale player. It was his second sending off of the campaign, after Mansfield Town on the opening day of the season, meaning the Scot’s suspension increased from three to four games.
