We can confirm that the FA have upheld the red card shown to Magnus Norman in Tuesday night’s League One fixture against Bristol Rovers at the Crown Oil Arena.
With an appeal unsuccessful, the goalkeeper will now be suspended for Dale’s next three league games.
Unfortunately, due to Checkatrade Trophy rulings, he will also miss Tuesday night’s tie against Fleetwood Town. Whilst Checkatrade Trophy games do not count against the ban, suspended players are not permitted to play in this competition.
Keith Hill commented: “It’s very disappointing for the young kid and it’s very disappointing from the authorities. They’re denying a young kid an opportunity to play senior football, which is what the EFL and the FA are supposed to be all about.
“You want common sense and you want people to admit where they’ve made mistakes but it doesn’t seem to happening.
“In this case, Magnus should not be serving a three-match ban, which is now actually a four-match ban because of the Checkatrade Trophy.
“It was a mistimed challenge – there was no malice in it, but he’s been punished and we’ve been punished as well.”