Fallon's appeal rejected

Kieren Fallon on Thursday lost his appeal to have his jockey's license reinstated in Britain. Following a hearing Wednesday evening, the appeal board of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority ruled on Thursday morning that it was upholding the authority's original decision to suspend Fallon after he was charged last week with conspiracy to defraud through race fixing.

The appeal board released the following statement: "The board received the panel's decision and reasons and, mindful of the serious criminal charges outstanding against Kieren Fallon, decided that the panel's decision to decline to consider any of the presently available evidence was correct. The appeal is dismissed."

Fallon, who has won the riding title in Britain six times, will be banned from riding there until the conclusion of his trial, which is not expected to begin until next spring.

Fallon, who had hired prominent civil rights lawyer David Pannick to represent him at the hearing, released this statement through his lawyers, BCL Burton Copeland: "I am deeply disappointed by the refusal of the HRA to overturn my suspension from riding in the UK. I will now take the matter to the High Court, and beyond if necessary, to reinstate my rights to earn a living in the UK and participate in the sport that I love. Until I have the chance to prove my innocence in court, it is grossly unfair that I am being denied a living in Britain."