Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante has been suspended for three matches by the Football Association after elbowing Norwich City's Pelle Mattsson during Monday's Championship clash at Carrow Road. The incident, which occurred in the 34th minute, was missed by match officials but was captured on live television.
The FA issued a statement confirming that Thomas-Asante admitted the charge of violent conduct and accepted the standard penalty. The ban will see the 27-year-old miss Coventry's upcoming fixtures against Queens Park Rangers, Oxford United, and a top-of-the-table clash with second-placed Middlesbrough.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard defended his player, describing the elbow as an instinctive movement that Thomas-Asante immediately regretted. 'It's not Brandon's personality,' Lampard said. 'He didn't mean to do it. It was a moment you can instantly regret, and I stand by him completely.'
Despite missing significant time through injury this season, Thomas-Asante has scored ten goals for the Sky Blues, who currently top the Championship table with a three-point lead over Middlesbrough.
