Swindon Manager Expects Action Over Teamsheet Error in EFL Trophy Match

Swindon Manager Expects Action Over Teamsheet Error in EFL Trophy Match

Swindon Manager Expects Action Over Teamsheet Error in EFL Trophy Match

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway has expressed his expectation for "some sort of action" following an incident involving substitute Aaron Drinan, who was missing from the teamsheet during their 2-1 victory at Luton in the EFL Trophy.

Holloway had introduced Drinan, the team's top scorer, as one of three substitutions at halftime. However, the official line-up seen by match officials prior to kick-off erroneously listed Ryan Tafazolli in Drinan's place on the bench.

The situation prompted questions about Drinan's presence on the field in the 64th minute, resulting in an eight-minute delay in play, but he ultimately remained on the pitch.

Despite the victory over their League One rivals, Swindon may face an investigation by the EFL regarding this incident.

"I offered to take Drinan off, but Jack [Wilshere, Luton head coach] said, 'Well, that's not his fault, is it? Just get on with it,'" Holloway shared with BBC Radio Wiltshire. "There'll be some sort of action because something's gone wrong."

The BBC has reached out to the EFL for a comment on the matter.

In the past, teams would submit handwritten teamsheets to match officials before kick-off, but this process has shifted to electronic submissions. Holloway noted that officials did not ask him to verify the team on-screen before the match, which he believes is standard protocol.

"When we used to write the teamsheet down, it was never wrong, was it?" Holloway remarked. "But when they get it on an iPad and it’s not shown to us, how can I confirm that is my team without checking it? No one checked it, and it’s too late to verify once the game has started and their staff notices it. It’s a major oversight, and they need to reflect on their process. Why don’t we revert to the written teamsheets?"

Luton initially took the lead in the seventh minute with a penalty from Jerry Yates, but Will Wright equalized for Swindon 30 minutes later, followed by Filozofe Mabete scoring to put Swindon ahead 2-1 in the 53rd minute.

Wilshere expressed confidence that the EFL would handle the situation appropriately, stating, "Whatever the rules are, the rules are. I felt the decision could have been made quicker - seven or eight minutes is too long. The EFL will investigate and come to the right decision."

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