Valentino Rossi will start this weekend’s MotoGP title decider from the back of the grid following a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The championship leader lodged an appeal to the CAS seeking a stay of execution from the grid penalty.

Rossi was issued with three penalty points on his licence for his controversial clash with Marc Marquez at Sepang, which resulted in the grid drop when combined with an infringement incurred earlier this season.

However, following a hearing held in Lausanne, Switzerland, the court has dismissed Rossi’s appeal against the sanction, ensuring he will start Sunday’s race from the rear of the grid.

“On 4 November 2015, a preliminary hearing was held at the headquarters of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne in the matter Valentino Rossi v. the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. The FIM was represented by its Legal Director, Mr Richard Perret,” read a statement from the motorcycle racing governing body, the FIM.

“Following the hearing, the CAS issued an Order dismissing the application for a stay filed by

“Mr Rossi concerning the decision rendered on 25 October 2015 by the FIM Stewards (see Order attached).

“The CAS ruling on the request for stay of execution does not prejudge the final award on the merits of the case.

“In appealing to the CAS against the decision of the FIM Stewards, Mr Rossi seeks annulment or modification of the FIM Stewards’ decision taken at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, in which the FIM Stewards confirmed the 3 penalty points awarded by the Race Direction to Mr Rossi following an incident on Turn 14.

“The FIM takes note of the ruling of the CAS.

“As a consequence of this ruling, at the Gran Premi de la Comunitat Valenciana, last race of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix, Mr Rossi will start from the last position on the Grid.”

Rossi holds a slender seven point lead over title rival Jorge Lorenzo heading into the final round.