Crystal Palace Lose Appeal Over Mateta Red Card Against Spurs

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage expects Axel Disasi to be available for the weekend after the defender missed the Hoffenheim draw due to an 'internal decision.'

Disasi was not involved in Palace's 1-1 Europa League draw with Hoffenheim on Thursday night at Selhurst Park.

Sage declined to elaborate on the reason behind the defender's omission from the squad.

"It's an internal decision," Sage said.

"I don't want to comment more."

"Sorry for that because you know I always reply but I don't want to comment."

Asked whether Disasi would be available for the weekend visit from Liverpool, Sage told TNT Sports: "For the weekend, yes."

The development comes as Crystal Palace's appeal over Jean-Philippe Mateta's red card against Tottenham Hotspur was rejected by the Football Association.

The FA upheld the dismissal after reviewing the incident from the Premier League match.

Mateta was sent off during the Spurs clash for a challenge deemed dangerous by referee Simon Hooper.

The club argued the decision was harsh and submitted an appeal to overturn the three-match ban.

The FA's disciplinary panel reviewed video evidence and dismissed the appeal.

Mateta will now serve the full suspension, missing key fixtures for the struggling side.

Palace sit in 20th place in the Europa League standings after four matchdays.

The team has also been inconsistent in the Premier League this season.

Sage praised his team's character after the Hoffenheim draw.

Daichi Kamada scored a stoppage-time equalizer to snatch a point for the 10-man Eagles.

Adam Wharton was sent off in the 77th minute for a second bookable offense.

"I think it could be better if we scored before but I know Dean Henderson also kept us in the game with his saves," Sage said.

"I like the energy of the team and to never give up until the end, the last minute."

Hoffenheim took the lead in the seventh minute through Alexander Prass.

Tim Lemperle played a raking pass to Prass, whose half-volley squirmed under goalkeeper Dean Henderson and crossed the line.

Henderson made a fine one-handed save to deny Andrej Kramaric in the 23rd minute.

Fisnik Asllani fired wide early in the second half as Hoffenheim continued to cause problems on the counter-attack.

Palace salvaged the draw when Kamada pounced on a loose ball inside the box and prodded beyond Oliver Baumann.

The result leaves Hoffenheim on four points from four league-phase games.

Sage was critical of his team's tactical performance despite the late result.

"Offensively we did better than our two previous games but we have to continue to improve defensively," he said.

"We gave up too much space to the opponent and sometimes we had difficulty in duels."

"When we try to attack a little bit we are very quickly open."

Palace now prepare for a visit from Liverpool on Sunday with a tea-time kick-off on Bonfire Night.

The club has work to do in both domestic and European competitions.

The Mateta suspension adds to the squad's disciplinary concerns.

Adam Wharton's red card against Hoffenheim was the second dismissal for Palace in recent games.

Sage faces questions about team discipline and his ability to turn the season around.

The Disasi incident remains unexplained, with the manager choosing to keep the matter private.

Palace fans are watching closely as the January transfer window approaches.

The club may need to reinforce the squad if the current form continues.

Liverpool will provide a stern test on Sunday at Selhurst Park.

The team will be without Mateta due to the failed appeal.

Disasi is expected to be available to face the league leaders.

Sage's job security has been a topic of discussion among supporters and pundits.

The club's hierarchy has not made any public statements about the manager's future.

Palace's next Premier League match after Liverpool will be another crucial fixture.

The Europa League campaign also requires points to advance to the knockout stages.

Kamada's equalizer provided a moment of relief in an otherwise difficult season.

The Japan international has been one of the brighter performers for the Eagles.

His stoppage-time goal was his first in European competition for the club.

The draw kept Palace alive in the Europa League but the margin for error is thin.

Sage acknowledged the team's defensive frailties after the match.

He highlighted the need for improvement in duels and spatial awareness.

The manager praised the squad's attitude but made clear tactical changes are needed.

Hoffenheim created the best chances in the game without ever having to try too hard.

Palace set off with intensity but were sloppy and conceded an easy opening goal.

Wharton gave possession away cheaply about 20 yards from the Hoffenheim goal.

The ball reached Lemperle wide right, who whipped it first time to the advancing Prass.

The winger's shot was immediate and caught Henderson cold.

The Palace support did not moan and continued backing their side throughout.

The team on the pitch did not respond in the desired fashion in the first half.

Hoffenheim should have scored again through a Kramaric volley in the 23rd minute.

Henderson made a fine save on that occasion before Palace worked their way into the game.

Yeremy Pino was the focus of Palace's attacking efforts in the first half.

The winger showed flashes of creativity but lacked final product.

Kamada had an early opener ruled out for the hosts before Hoffenheim took the lead.

The equalizer came after a goalmouth scramble in added time.

Hoffenheim failed to clear the ball and Kamada fired home under the keeper.

The goal generated a rare moment of elation at Selhurst Park this season.

Sage struggled to put a positive gloss on events after the match.

Asked if he thought his team had deserved their point, he said it "depended on the moment of the game."

The manager's honesty reflected the team's inconsistent performance.

Palace were in the match throughout without ever dominating.

The Europa League offers no respite from their Premier League travails.

The club sits in 20th place in the league-phase standings after four games.

Only the top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16.