Charlton boss Lee Bowyer: Checkatrade Trophy rule doesn’t make any sense

Lee Bowyer has bemoaned the rules regarding suspended players participating in the EFL Trophy.

Charlton midfielder Tariqe Fosu must serve a three-match ban following his dismissal during the South Londoners’ 2-1 win over Southend United on the weekend.

Rules state that the winger couldn’t participate in this evening’s EFL Trophy contest with AFC Wimbledon – but the encounter doesn’t count towards his suspension.

“In an ideal world I’d rather it had counted as a game,” said the Charlton caretaker boss.

“If it doesn’t count as a game, surely, he can play. Or if it can’t play, it’s got to be a game. If he can play then it doesn’t count as a game. It’s got to be one or the other surely, it can’t work two different ways. Apparently if you get sent off tonight then you can play in the league game on Saturday. All of it doesn’t make any sense. They’ve not thought of this scenario of someone getting sent off on the Saturday and then playing on the Tuesday.

“It’s not just our club, it’s four or five clubs that are in the same situation. It doesn’t make sense to me. It has to work one way or the other. Now he’s got a four-game suspension instead of three. It’s crazy, I don’t get it. Someone has not thought of something, somewhere because it doesn’t make sense.”

The Addicks drew 2-2 with the Wombles after ninety minutes, with Neal Ardley’s side going on to claim a bonus point after winning a penalty shoot-out 4-2.