Bizarre error sees the WRONG Fulham player subbed off (2025)

36 shares

A bizarre error meant the wrong Fulham player was substituted during their defeat at Bournemouth - with Marco Silva left raging at the officials after being told the decision cannot be reversed.

Ryan Sessegnon was taken off in the 57th minute of Bournemouth's 1-0 win on Monday but, in remarkable scenes, it quickly emerged that the visitors actually wanted to keep him on the pitch.

An angry Silva furiously protested at fourth official Tim Robinson but his appeals fell on deaf ears owing to Premier Leaguerules.

Regulations state that a player 'cannot return to the field of play during the same match' after being subbed off.

Sessegnon was substituted alongsideSander Berge and Rodigo Muniz asAdama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Tom Cairney were thrown on as part of Silva's attempt to find an equaliser.

However it became apparent that Sessegnon was the wrong player taken off. It is believed Silva instead wanted to remove Sasa Lukic.

'There was a lack of communication with the fourth official from our staff there – the No 2 and No 3,’ said Silva. ‘When I saw Sessegnon out, I tried to correct it. He (Robinson) decided not to let us correct it.’

It is a club's responsibility to ensure the cards filled out to make their substitutions are correct and once the sub enters the pitch the process is complete - and cannot be reversed.

The farcical incident sparked a delay and led to referee Michael Oliver coming over to the touchline to see what had happened.

Silva was also incensed at the decision not to sendMarcos Senesi off for a challenge on Joachim Andersen in the first half. Oliver gave a yellow card, a decision upheld byVAR Jarred Gillett.

Andoni Iraola immediately replaced Senesi withIllia Zabarnyi, not wanting to risk a second yellow.

'The fourth official was confused throughout the game, in all circumstances,' Silva added.

Bournemouth scored inside a minute of the Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium as Antoine Semenyo struck home after just 53 seconds.

It proved to be the winning goal as Iraola's side climbed above Fulham into eighth in the Premier League.

Victory boosted the Cherries' hopes of securing European football and dealt Fulham's chances a significant blow. Both sides are on 48 points, with Bournemouth ahead on goal difference.

Premier LeagueMarco SilvaFulhamBournemouth

Add your comment