Soccer-Carroll banned for three matches after losing appeal

Feb 4 (Reuters) - West Ham United's Andy Carroll will be banned for three matches after losing his appeal against the red card he received in their 2-0 Premier League win over Swansea City, the Football Association said on Tuesday. Carroll caught Swansea defender Chico Flores with a trailing arm after an aerial challenge and, although there was minimal contact, his claim of wrongful dismissal was rejected by the FA. "DISGRACEFUL!!!," the 25-year-old striker said on Twitter. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce described the sending off as an "injustice" while his Swansea counterpart Michael Laudrup said the red card was a "bit harsh". Carroll, who has made only four league appearances this season after struggling with a heel injury, will now miss West Ham's trip to Aston Villa and then home fixtures against Norwich City and Southampton. (Reporting By Michael Hann; editing by Toby Davis)