Norwich City elect against Kenny McLean red card appeal

The Canaries' captain was shown a straight red card for serious foul play after scything down Hayden Hackney in the 87th minute as they pushed for a winner to complete an incredible second-half comeback at Carrow Road. 

That dismissal saw City settle for a point, and Johannes Hoff Thorup confirmed post-match that he would review the footage before considering whether there were substantial grounds for an appeal. 

After concluding that process, City have elected against forming an appeal to the FA about referee James Bell's decision with the deadline of 1pm on Monday having passed. 

McLean will now serve a three-game ban, starting against Cardiff on Saturday. It will sideline him for upcoming matches away to Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City at home prior to the November international break. 

The definition for serious foul play in the laws of the game is as follows: 'Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.'

Norwich are now left seeking a solution to McLean's absence that could include different midfield personnel or a change of shape, and Thorup admitted the Scot's absence is a major blow. 

Kenny McLean will miss Norwich City's next three Championship matches. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) "To lose Kenny for three games is not good for us. Of course there are moments in the game where I'm also supporting the team in yellow out there. So maybe I see it from that perspective. I don’t want to blame referees, but I think from my position it was soft," Thorup said after Sunday's draw prior to watching any footage.

"And now, of course, we have to deal with it for three games, which is a big one based on that call. We have to watch it back and if we think there is a possibility for us (to appeal) we will consider it. It's three games we have to play without Kenny.

"He's an important player, just the way that he can dictate the game from that central position where he can bring us up the field, the way that he can start pressing for us and get all the boys going, and so on. He's so important for us."