Honeyman gets cup final reprieve

The Checkatrade Trophy is supposed to be a standalone competition in terms of suspensions and disciplinary rules. But under FA rules, players are banned from ALL games until they have served their suspension in its entirety.

The suspension can only be served in Football League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup games, as the Checkatrade Trophy - or EFL Trophy - does not count as a ‘first team competitive match’ under the disciplinary rules, so Honeyman was set to effectively miss four games in total.

It was the same ruling that forced Max Power to face an extended spell on the sidelines after seeing red against Oxford United earlier in the season.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross was infuriated by that, saying: “We felt the initial decision to send Max off was harsh. However, it has been heard fairly, and we have to accept the Football Association’s decision regarding the card.

“What I cannot accept, however, is that Max is banned from playing in tonight’s game, yet this does not count as part of his three-game suspension. It’s absolutely nonsensical and I’m sure everyone would agree with me on that.

“We have been unfairly penalised with what is actually a fourgame ban for our player, not a three-game ban as the rules state and I cannot understand how that can be the case.”

There now appears to have been a mid-season u-turn on that ruling, meaning that Honeyman should be able to feature against Portsmouth at Wembley.