Hackett: Norwich City ace handed 'inadequate punishment' after FA decision
Today at 08:34 AM
Borja Sainz should have been given a bigger fine after the Norwich City star admitted to spitting at a Sunderland player last month, Keith Hackett has said.
The ex-PGMOL chief and former FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the length of suspension handed to Sainz over the incident was however the correct one.
It emerged last week that the Canaries ace had been charged by the FA over an allegation of spitting at an opponent in his side’s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland on 21 December last year.
Now, the punishment handed out to the Norwich man as a result of that incident has been revealed, leaving Hackett with mixed feelings.
Keith Hackett reacts as Borja Sainz hit with Norwich City suspension
In a statement issued by the FA on Friday (10 January), it was confirmed that Sainz had admitted the charge of spitting made against him.
As a result, the attacker will now be suspended for the next six Norwich games, and will also have to pay a fine of £12,000.
While Hackett believes the suspension is of an appropriate length, he does believe the fine given to the Spaniard should have been more given the wages players receive in this era.
Speaking to Football Insider about the punishment given to Sainz, the former referee said:
“Spitting at an opponent is recognised in the Laws of the Game an act of Violent Conduct. Totally reprehensible.
“Whilst a six game ban appears to be the correct level of punishment, given the salaries that players command I consider the fine of £12000 to be inadequate given the lack of respect to a professional player, the risk of a potential health hazard and the damage to the image of the game.
“A months wages might be more appropriate in my opinion. The Disciplinary panel will I am sure have a matrix in front of them that gives a guideline to the level of punishment that can be sanctioned.
“The player has of course a right of appeal.”
Sainz has been in excellent form for Norwich this season, scoring 15 goals in 26 Championship games, more than any other player in the division.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side are currently 11th in the second-tier standings, four points adrift of the play-off places.
In other news, a Sheffield Wednesday player is keen to leave this month amid Championship and League One interest.
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The post Hackett: Norwich City ace handed 'inadequate punishment' after FA decision appeared first on Football Insider.
