THE Football Association has rejected an appeal by Charlton Athletic against a three-match ban imposed on Richard Rufus. The defender was sent off at Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

Addicks boss Alan Curbishley sent a video of the clash at St James's Park to the authorities, in the hope they would agree the incident warranted only a one-match suspension.

However, the rejection means the key defender will miss games against Premiership big-guns Arsenal, Manchester United and Derby County. A spokesman for Charlton was unable to say if they would be taking the matter further.

Meanwhile, fans denied sought after season tickets in the Jimmy Seed stand have got them after all, now that the club has re-arranged seating for directors and the press.

Between 100 and 150 were up for grabs on a first-come, first-served basis before Saturday's clash with Southampton at The Valley.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.