The FA have published their reasons behind turning down Watford's appeal against Troy Deeney's red card last month.

The Hornets captain has just completed a four-game ban as a result of his challenge on Colin Quaner in the 4-1 defeat, where he was shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver.

The Hornets appealed prior to their next game, with Brighton, but the ban was not overturned.

Watford's appeal was heard by a three-man panel, consisting of former Ireland international Gareth Farrelly, ex-Sunderland boss Denis Smith and 90s West Brom legend Paul Raven.

They wrote in their report: "Having viewed the available footage of the incident on numerous occasions and in great detail and having considered the Club’s submissions, the Regulatory Commission agreed unanimously that the referee had not erred in his interpretation of the incident.

"Mr Deeney in making the challenge did exceed the necessary level of force and endangered the safety of his opponent. He could have played the ball fairly but chose to tackle the player, who was unaware of his position in an overly aggressive malicious manner.

"It was the view of the Regulatory Commission that in doing so Mr Deeney in coming through the back of the opponent used excessive force and clearly endangered the safety of his opponent.

"In this instance the Regulatory Commission by a unanimous decision did not feel that they could say, based on all the evidence before them, that he had made an ‘obvious error’. As such the claim failed."

Watford made a second appeal, intended only for 'truly exceptional' circumstances, that the length of Deeney's ban, if it stood, was excessive.

But the panel also ruled against this, stating: "the Regulatory Commission unanimously agreed that there were no ‘truly exceptional’ circumstances and due to the seriousness of the incident the automatic penalty of a three game ban could in no way be deemed excessive."