Back on 2nd December 2015, Real Madrid were famously thrown out from the Copa del Rey against then third tier side Cadiz after playing Denis Cheryshev, who was suspended. The same thing very nearly happened to Burnley.

It happened in the FA Cup last 16 tie this Tuesday between Burnley and Bournemouth.

One hour before the match, Burnley announced their line-up as usual. Dutch left-back Erik Pieters was included by manager Sean Dyche, but there was a problem.

He saw yellow in both the third round against MK Dons and the fourth round against Fulham and so he was suspended.

Minutes later, Burnley published another line-up which included Anthony Glennon instead of the Dutchman. An "administrative error" was the reason for the change.

What actually happened, according to the 'Daily Mail' was that Joel Miller, statistician for 'BT Sport', the broadcaster showing the game, realised it. He told reporter Natalie Quirk who then informed Burnley.

If 'BT' had not noticed it, Bournemouth could have alleged an ineligible line-up and would have got a free pass to the quarter-finals. In any case, they won on the pitch 0-2.

After the match, Burnley coach Sean Dyche revealed that he had found out about the mistake from Bournemouth's head of media communications, Anthony Marshall, in an act of great sportsmanship. Both 'BT' and Burnley's opponents allowed qualification to be decided on the pitch.

February 9, 2021

Erik Pieters

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