Troy Deeney ripped into Borja Sainz after the Norwich striker was punished for spitting at an opponent.
Sainz has been suspended for six matches and fined £12,000 by the Football Association.
The incident took place in the 74th minute of a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on December 21 – when he spat at opponent Chris Mepham.
Sainz is the Championship’s top scorer at present, having netted 15 goals for the Canaries so far in the league, but he will have no chance to improve his scoring stats for the next six matches.
At the time, it went unnoticed by match officials and he helped inspire Norwich to three wins in their subsequent four games, although he was later charged by the FA.
Sainz released a statement after his ban was announced apologising and taking ‘full responsibility’ for his actions which he ‘deeply regrets’.
“Spitting at an opponent is completely out of character for me, and my reaction in that moment was unacceptable,” said Sainz.
“I want to apologise directly to the opposing player, Chris Mepham, for my behaviour.
“Additionally, I extend my apologies to my team-mates, our coaching staff and our fans. I am deeply disappointed in myself and for letting all of you down through my conduct.”
The FA charge read as follows: “Norwich City‘s Borja Sainz has been suspended for six matches and fined £12,000 following a breach of FA Rule E1.1 that took place during their EFL Championship match against Sunderland on Saturday 21 December 2024.
“It was alleged that the forward committed the sending off offence of spitting at an opponent, during the 74th minute of the fixture.
“Borja Sainz admitted the charge and his sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission.”
Deeney was less than impressed with the Spanish forward, calling it the ‘lowest of the low’ when speaking on talkSPORT.
“It’s disgusting, spitting on somebody is the lowest of the low. I get frustrated with his statement though, that’s not you, that’s someone else,” the former Watford captain said.
“It starts with I deeply apologise. Someone else has written it. This is part of the PR game we all play now when we apologise through 18 different people.
“If you’ve spat on somebody, be man enough to phone them and say ‘I apologise’, don’t do it through socials.”