Leeds United will be without Junior Firpo for the next three games after the defender was hit with a violent conduct charge by the Football Association (FA).
The 28-year-old was involved in an incident in stoppage time of Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat away at Millwall that was not seen by match officials.
The full-back appeared to headbutt Millwall defender Danny McNamara off the ball out of the sight of referee Leigh Doughty.
Firpo denied the charge but an independent commission found it proven and he will now serve a suspension.
The ban begins with Saturday’s home meeting at Elland Road with Queens Park Rangers and will also take in games with Swansea City and Luton Town.
He will be eligible to return for the trip to Blackburn Rovers on November 30.
An FA statement read: “Leeds United’s Junior Firpo has been suspended for three matches following their EFL Championship fixture against Millwall on Wednesday, 6 November.
“The defender’s behaviour around the 95th minute wasn’t seen by the match officials, but was caught on video, and The FA alleged that it constitutes violent conduct.
“Junior Firpo denied the charge against him, but an independent regulatory commission subsequently found it to be proven and imposed this suspension.”
Firpo, who joined the club from Barcelona in 2021, has made 14 appearances for Leeds this season including all but one of their Championship matches.
Leeds sit third in the Championship table, two points behind Sheffield United who currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot behind league leaders Sunderland.
GO DEEPER
James provides a timely reminder of how valuable he can be to Leeds
(George Wood/Getty Images)
