Norwich City midfielder Kenny McLean, 32, will be sidelined until after Christmas after receiving a four-match suspension for violent conduct during the team’s 3-0 loss to QPR on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred in the 24th minute, involved McLean appearing to strike QPR winger Kieran Morgan in the face with his trailing arm. While match officials missed the off-the-ball clash, it was captured on camera, leading the Football Association (FA) to charge McLean retrospectively with violent conduct.
McLean, who recently returned from a three-game suspension following a red card against Middlesbrough, denied the charge and argued the standard punishment was excessive. However, an independent regulatory commission upheld the charge and extended the suspension to four matches due to it being his second dismissal this season.
The FA stated: “Kenny McLean has been suspended for four matches following an incident of violent conduct during Norwich City’s EFL Championship match against Queens Park Rangers on December 7. The incident, unseen by officials at the time, was caught on camera, prompting a charge of violent conduct. McLean denied the charge and argued against the standard penalty, but the commission found the charge proven. Written reasons will be published in due course.”
McLean’s suspension begins immediately, ruling him out of Norwich’s upcoming fixtures against Portsmouth, Burnley, Sunderland, and Millwall. A key figure for Scotland, McLean has earned 48 caps and has been instrumental for the national team since Callum McGregor’s international retirement after Euro 2024.
