Exeter could be expelled from Cup after sub error
FA to investgate as it emerges City breached rules by using six substiututes in FA Cup
EXETER City could be kicked out of the FA Cup after making six substitutions in Tuesday night’s first round replay win against Bradford City.
The Grecians won the game 3-0 with extra-time goals from Matt Jay (two) and Nigel Atangana.
In this season’s competition, teams can make up to five substitutions in normal time. City manager Matt Taylor then made a sixth at the start of extra-time, with Josh Key going on for Sam Nombe.
During last season’s FA Cup teams were allowed to make a sixth substitution in extra-time – but the FA rules do not state that can happen this season. The only other opportunity for a change to be made on top of the five permitted is in the case of a concussion substitution.
An Exeter City spokesman said: “A review is due to take place following last night’s FA Cup game between Exeter City and Bradford City at St James Park.
“The matter will be considered by an FA committee and is in reference to the number of substitutions allowed during the match.
“Both clubs will be asked for their comments, along with the referee and fourth official. The matter will be referred to an FA committee who will decide on what course of action to take.”
An FA statement read: “As guidance, the referee has reported that a sixth substitute was made by Exeter City during last night’s Emirates FA Cup replay.
“This is currently being investigated by the FA and it will be referred to our Professional Game Board for consideration as soon as possible.”
The announcement came yesterday, with City looking forward to playing Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium in the second round on the first Saturday in December. Cambridge beat Northampton Town 3-1 in their replay.
With the Grecians on a recordbreaking run of 19 matches unbeaten in all competitions on the trot – and their 2-1 win at Oldham Athletic at the weekend taking them to third place in League Two – being chucked out of the FA Cup would be a massive blow for the club.
Club president and director of external affairs Julian Tagg said: “It is a disappointment to be in this position after such a fantastic game.
“However, it would appear, having been in contact with the FA, that there was a lack of clarity about how and when, and how many, substitutions could be made.
“We are preparing a submission for the FA and it is quite clear that there is no clarity about a set of rules which have changed before, during, and after Covid – and across different competitions.
“We will, of course, abide by the rules, but despite on numerous occasions seeking clarity with the fourth official, whose job it is, the clarity that needed to be there was quite obviously not forthcoming.
“The fourth official’s main job is to manage the substitutions and quite obviously there were issues with the process from both sides and both teams on this issue.”
City will be keen that the matter is resolved quickly, but the focus of the manager and the team will now be on Saturday’s home game against Carlisle United.
Third-placed City are just two points behind League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers, while secondplaced Port Vale are on 29 points, the same as City.