'Distraught' Dichio set to miss final

Danny Dichio is poised to miss next month's FA Cup Final after failing to get his three-match ban reduced.

The Millwall striker was sent off for violent conduct in an off-the-ball bust-up with Nottingham Forest's Wes Morgan 10 days ago.

Dichio claimed he was unfairly penalised but his appeal to referee Brian Curson to review the decision has been rejected.

Millwall player-manager Dennis Wise said: "The referee has told us he is not going to change his mind.

"Unless we get into the playoffs, Danny is going to miss the Cup Final. He is distraught about it, as all the other lads are for him."

Meanwhile, the Football Association are to review their Cup Final ticket allocation procedures after protests from Millwall. They will consider consulting finalists in future following claims by the club that they were left out of preparations for the game against Manchester United.

Millwall have ended up with 6,600 fewer tickets than their opponents and were bitterly disappointed with the way the decision was reached.