The Australian football international Tim Cahill will miss the opening three matches of next season's Premier League after his English club Everton's appeal against his sending-off was rejected.
The club appealed Cahill's red card for grabbing the throat of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye just moments after the full-time whistle in Everton's 3-1 win on Monday.
Cabaye issued an apology on Newcastle's website following the incident.
Cahill has issued a statement in which he said: "I accept my three-match ban... My reaction at the end of the game was out of character but I was disgusted at comments made to me by Cabaye.
"I don't wish to elaborate on the exact detail of what was said - but his words have no place either on or off the football pitch.
"Cabaye has apologised via his club's website and as far as I am concerned the matter is now closed."
