Norwich's Sainz to face 'spitting' charge

Borja Sainz joined Norwich City in the summer of 2023

Norwich City top scorer Borja Sainz has been charged with allegedly "spitting at an opponent" by the Football Association.

He is accused of breaching FA Rule E1.1 during the game against Sunderland on 21 December and has until Tuesday to reply to the charge.

If found guilty, he could face a suspension of up to six matches - the ban imposed on Scunthorpe's Hayden Hackney in 2022 and Crewe's Perry Ng two years earlier.

The incident allegedly happened in the 74th minute of the game at the Stadium of Light, which Norwich lost 2-1 after Aris Ben Slimane had given them the lead.

Sainz has been one of the stand-out players in the Championship this season, scoring 16 goals for Norwich - although he has not found the net in their last seven games.

As he has until next week to respond to the charge, head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup expects to have him available for Saturday's game against Coventry.

Speaking before the charge was confirmed by the Football Association, he told BBC Radio Norfolk: "When we look at it, and we see exactly what it is all about, we'll get together and find the best possible answer we can give.

"It will probably take a couple of days to find that. The good thing is that he's part of the game tomorrow, the not so good thing is that he will probably get some kind of a ban."