Norwich City captain Kenny McLean will miss an extra game following his recent sending off in last month’s 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough.
The Scot’s red card meant an automatic three-match ban, but the Football Association have imposed an additional penalty for improper conduct.
McLean was found guilty of using “abusive and/or insulting words” towards a match official following his dismissal.
The additional suspension, plus £15,000 fine, means he will be unable to play again until the home game against Plymouth Argyle on 26 November.
“I think it’s a little harsh,” head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk.
“I think if we go back to the situation, if it had been a yellow card, even the opposition would have said ‘ok, fine’. But it was a red and ended up with four games without playing, that’s a tough one.”
Asked whether he was surprised by his captain’s language, the Dane joked: “He’s also Scottish and he says so many things during the day I don’t understand.”
McLean has already missed back-to-back away defeats at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.
He will also sit out Saturday’s home game against Bristol City and the trip to West Bromwich Albion on 23 November, immediately after the international break.
