Stade Francais forward David Attoub has failed in his bid to have his 70-week ban for eye-gouging overturned or reduced.
The 28-year-old prop was hit with the record suspension after being found guilty of making contact with the eye/eye area of Ulster's Stephen Ferris during the Heineken Cup clash between their respective sides at Ravenhill on December 12.
Attoub, who served a ban for the same offence earlier in his career, decided to challenge against the ruling but his appeal was dismissed on Thursday morning.
As a result, the original sentence stands and Attoub will not be able to return to competitive rugby until April 23, 2011.