Crystal Palace appeal Mateta red card as three-match ban threatens league availability

Crystal Palace have appealed against Jean-Philippe Mateta's dismissal in their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, seeking to overturn the red card or shorten a three-match suspension. BBC Sport reported the challenge on Tuesday, with the striker's availability for a run of Premier League fixtures now dependent on the disciplinary outcome.

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Mateta was dismissed after 13 minutes while the match was goalless. Referee Michael Oliver initially booked him for a challenge on Micky van de Ven, then changed the punishment to a red card following a VAR review. BBC Sport reported that Palace considered the contact accidental and that Mateta believed he had been watching the ball without seeing the defender.

The suspension would rule the France international out of the home match against Liverpool and subsequent league games against Coventry and Hull if it remains unchanged, according to The Standard. The newspaper reported that the domestic sanction would not prevent him from being selected for Palace's Europa League home fixtures against Hoffenheim and Real Sociedad. Neither report announced an appeal decision.

Palace's own account of Saturday's defeat described an encouraging opening before the dismissal changed their afternoon. Daichi Kamada tested Antonin Kinsky with a shot from outside the penalty area, but the visitors subsequently had to defend with ten players. Archie Gray headed Tottenham in front from a corner, and Palace reached the interval a goal behind despite defensive interventions from Axel Disasi.

Pierre Sage introduced Eddie Nketiah and Anan Khalaili on the hour as Palace tried to recover. Dwight McNeil had an effort blocked after pressure from a long throw, while Dean Henderson made saves to deny Dominic Solanke and, later, Conor Gallagher. Jan Paul van Hecke supplied Tottenham's second goal, converting a rebound after Henderson had stopped his initial header, the club's match report said.

The appeal comes with Palace in the Premier League's bottom three on seven points, according to BBC Sport. Mateta had only recently returned following a hamstring injury, The Standard reported. Palace are seeking relief from a domestic suspension while retaining the option of selecting the forward in Europe.