Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor will miss Saturday’s match at Watford after the club had claims for his wrongful dismissal against Plymouth Argyle turned down by a Football Association regulatory commission.
The Northern Ireland international looked to have been harshly red-carded for a challenge on Plymouth’s Jamie Mackie by referee Michael Oliver during the 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s on Easter Monday. To make matters worse, the incident appeared to take place outside of Birmingham’s 18-yard area yet Plymouth were awarded a penalty, which was converted by Paul Gallagher.
Having sent correspondence and DVD evidence, Birmingham had been hoping that Taylor would avoid a suspension once the sending-off had been investigated.
However, an FA panel could not determine that a “serious and obvious error had been made by the referee” so Taylor will serve a one-match ban.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City have extended their principal sponsorship deal with F&C Investments until the end of the 2010/11 season.
