A ‘surprised’ Johannes Hoff Thorup criticises the timing of Kenny McLean’s FOUR game ban which was confirmed by the FA this week.
The suspension was announced just under five hours prior to the Championship fixture against Portsmouth on Tuesday night.
The Canaries head coach highlighted the difficulty of having to change game preparations and player line-ups at the last minute, which he found “not ideal” and not how he is used to working in a professional environment.
This situation saw him bring in Marcelino Nunez who was not fully recovered from an injury, further complicating the team’s strategy.
32 year old Norwich captain McLean was handed a four-match ban for the second time this season, charged with violent conduct in the 24th minute of Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in an incident which hadn’t been seen by match officials at the time.
He denied the charge against him but an independent commission found it proven and he has been banned for four games rather than three as this constitutes his second red card of the season.
In this game, McLean was making his third appearance after his initial four-match ban for his sending off against Middlesbrough back in October, but now will be unavailable until the home game against QPR on the 29th of December.
The FA statement: “An independent Regulatory Commission has suspended Norwich City’s Kenny McLean for four matches following violent conduct in their EFL Championship match against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday 7 December.
“The midfielder’s behaviour during the 24th minute of the game wasn’t seen by the match officials at the time, but it was caught on camera, and The FA subsequently alleged that it constitutes violent conduct.”
“Kenny McLean denied this charge against him and submitted that the automatic penalty is excessive if found proven. The independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanction following a hearing. Its written reasons will be published in due course.
“The sanction is four matches rather than three as it is Kenny McLean’s second dismissal this season.”
Kenny McLean gets a 4 game ban for this but a Pompey player can go in studs to after the whistle has been blown and gets away with a yellow. Joke. Simply a joke #NCFC #Football @ChrisReevo @TalkNorwichCity
pic.twitter.com/qQynbrBBRu— NCFC 💛💚 (@AlwynOTBC) December 10, 2024
This 🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/fG4RLQQtKp
— Mark (@1979ballboy) December 10, 2024
“I’m very surprised by it because it opens up a window for a completely different competition,” Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk following his side’s goalless draw with Pompey.
He added: “The FA have decided this is the way they want to go.
“They have opened a door where they can go back in time and take decisions like that and even on gamedays they can present the news to the teams. It’s a completely different world to us.
“Everyone was [surprised] but I can’t go into details – Big Brother is watching and that’s how it is.”
“I don’t think I’m giving away too much of our preparation to say Kenny was part of it,” Thorup said.
“But at three o’clock we needed to change that and change the line-up and bring a player – Marcelino – on to the pitch, which was not ideal for us because he’s had an injury and it’s not ideal for him to play another game so close to Saturday.
“But that’s the way it is. It’s not the way I’m used to working. It’s a new world to me and I just have to accept it.
“I think it’s a surprise to everyone working with professional footballers in a professional environment that things like this can happen.”
🗣️ “I’m looking forward to what we can expect on Sunday. The team we prepare and play against will probably be different because the FA will look at possible suspensions.”
🏴 JHT on the FA’s decision to give #NCFC‘s Kenny McLean a four-game suspension 👇
— The Pink Un (@pinkun) December 10, 2024
This is what fans had to say as Johannes Hoff Thorup criticises the timing of Kenny McLean’s FOUR game ban…
@JField97: Well said. It’s beyond a joke. Imagine a Roy Keane in todays game. It may as well be non contact these days. Tag football. @FA @FA_PGMOL
@jerrylamb3: He’s spot on
@Benmannion0299: Fuck I love him
@holland_dan: Absolutely spot on. Shocking decision any day of the week, let alone just before a match #ncfc
@1979ballboy: Spot on… well said 🙌
@Hogmanreade: Sick of the FA ruining our great game
@Charl1eKing: bang on, let’s see how “fair and equal” the ruling is going to be, think the first call will be for the challenge on doyle tonight I suspect
@AshleyHowell2: Spot on from JHT this. The @FA have caused themselves all sorts of problems with this decision. The ban is a joke in itself, but to let a club know less than 4 hours before team announcement is fucking farcical! #ncfc
@Shaney_ncfc: You can see how pissed he is and too right also
@GinaBelle1981: The rage…. I fucking love him ❤️ #ncfc
@loodofsquit: Haha isn’t the Hoff brilliant
@AlwynOTBC: Given less than 5 hours before a game to adapt. Totally agree with Hoff the ban is ludicrous. Love the way he got stuck into the FA as well. OTBC 💛💚💛💚
@Alice_Jane92: Nail. Hit. Head.
@FPLJessx: He kept composed; that ban is such a joke.
@ncfcnodge: We haven’t had this mentality for years. Glorious!
@colin3883: That’s my manager 👏🏻 Can’t help but feel a fine coming for those comments though 🤣
@Shanefisher993: Stick with this man! 💛💚
@nodge1902low: Absolutely love this #ncfc
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