Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup was not surprised by the length of the ban and told told BBC Radio Norfolk that Sainz “definitely stepped over the line” in his altercation with Mepham.

“We, of course, support him as much as we can but also make it very clear to him and the team that there are some things you simply cannot do as a football player, and this is probably one of them,” Thorup said.

“It’s not something we need at this moment of the season and to be without one our best players for six games now – for any team in the Championship or any league – is not ideal. But there is a consequence when you behave like that and we also made it clear that it’s not acceptable.”

Thorup went on to say that Sainz has struggled with the extra attention given to him by rivals after his prolific start to the season.

“He has been outstanding for us, he has been scoring goals that are up there as some of the best goals this season, and it has probably gone a little bit too fast for him in some ways.

“And it’s understandable, I can see also when talking to him that the reason some games have been difficult for him is that there has been so much attention. Some teams they change their line-up, they change their formation, their behaviour only because it’s him,” he added.

“It’s a big step we have to take learning-wise with him because if he ever has ambitions on being a top player in a top team, he needs to expect that this will happen.”