LONDON, Sept 30, 2008 (AFP) - Everton's Australia midfielder Tim Cahill must serve a three-match ban after failing to overturn the red card received in Saturday's Merseyside derby on appeal.

Cahill was sent off for 'serious foul play' by referee Mike Riley following a studs-up challenge on Xabi Alonso in Everton's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.

The Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that an independent regulatory commission had rejected Cahill's appeal.