Under Football Federation of Australia regulations stemming from FIFA law, cautions cannot be contested, only dismissals from a straight red card.

"I spoke with the FFA this morning and they came back to me, unfortunately there's no rights to appeal the yellow card and you can only question a straight red. It's disappointing, but we move on and the focus is now on the Sydney derby," Sydney chief executive Tony Pignata said.

Dimitrijevic's ban is the third attempted appeal of a suspension by Sydney FC this season. The Sky Blues unsuccessfully challenged the straight red card shown to defender Nikola Petkovic in the FFA cup quarter-final loss to Adelaide United. The club was also denied a chance to overturn a ban relating to a withdrawal from international duty that denied Terry Antonis a chance to play against Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago.

The absence of Dimitrijevic for the derby could pave the way for Rhyan Grant to make his first start in more than a year after a lengthy layoff due to a serious knee injury. Grant tore his ACL in the first Sydney derby of last season and made his long awaited return to the A-League in the win over Melbourne City last week, playing 21 minutes as a substitute.

While the pace and tempo of the derby will be heightened, Grant is confident he can handle the occasion and declared himself fit to play if called upon.