Norwich City have failed in an FA appeal to overturn Mark Bunn's red card for his first-half sending off in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Sunderland.

Bunn will now serve his one-match suspension at Wigan on March 30 following the international break after he was dismissed by referee Chris Foy in the 30th minute at the Stadium of Light. City appealed on the basis that Bunn had not deliberately handled the ball outside his penalty area in the incident involving Black Cats' striker Danny Graham, but this was rejected by an FA independent regulatory commission.

A club statement on Norwich's official site read: 'An appeal by City against the red card shown to Mark Bunn by referee Chris Foy during Sunday's Barclays Premier League game away to Sunderland has been rejected by an independent regulatory commission appointed by The FA. Mr Foy dismissed Bunn in the 30th minute of Sunday's 1-1 draw for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, when he charged down a back-header from team-mate Michael Turner outside the box under pressure from Sunderland striker Danny Graham. The relevant FIFA law states a player will be dismissed for 'denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball.' City appealed to the FA that Bunn had not deliberately handled the ball – but this was rejected and the 'keeper's suspension for the forthcoming Wigan game will remain in place.'