SUNDERLAND boss Lee Johnson has blasted the EFL for ‘dangerously’ forcing his Covid hit facet to play in opposition to Wimbledon.
Bailey Wright earned the depleted Black Cats a degree after he levelled Joe Pigott’s first half penalty on the Stadium of Gentle.
Livid Sunderland boss Lee Johnson has blasted the EFL after the sport in opposition to Wimbledon went forwardCredit score: Getty Photos – Getty
However the North East facet didn’t need to play in any respect after considered one of their gamers examined constructive for coronavirus, forcing one other seven to self-isolate at house – just for the EFL to disclaim their pleas.
And that left Johnson raging as he was pressured to make 5 adjustments and title 4 kids on the bench who had performed 24 hours earlier for the U23s.
He mentioned: “That sport ought to have been known as off, little doubt in my thoughts.
“That was harmful for these two units of gamers.
“I can’t assist however really feel offended, pissed off, at second I’m not certain who I’m offended at. I needed to management the controllables. We didn’t get any assist with readability.”
Bristol Rovers’ conflict with Charlton on Tuesday and the weekend’s sport in opposition to Oxford have been known as off after a coronavirus outbreak inside The Pirates.
Nonetheless, Sunderland have been instructed they needed to play, with Johnson saying: “We requested the EFL for permission to postpone the sport, and have been instructed ‘When you postpone the sport you can be up for sanction and you can be investigated’.
“There was then an absence of readability on precisely what that investigation entails, and the specter of having to doubtlessly forsake the sport and provides the three factors as much as Wimbledon, we weren’t keen to take.
Bailey Wright scored an important equaliser for short-handed Sunderland of their draw with WimbledonCredit score: Rex Options
Joe Pigott had earlier given Wimbledon the lead by way of a first-half penaltyCredit score: Rex Options
“Don’t neglect, it was all very fast and rushed. We’ve bought our gamers’ security to consider, and the security of the gamers from Wimbledon in addition to the employees. There needs to be significantly better protocols in place.
“If the Bristol Rovers one is identical circumstance, then in the event that they get off scot free, in some way we’ve been tucked up.
“In the event that they get deducted the factors, then this turns into a great level as a result of we’ve performed the sport and hustled with gamers who aren’t match.
“The EFL gained’t provide the funding to do the testing, however then on the similar time, they gained’t assist you to out when there’s a circumstance that occurs. It’s nearly like we’ve been punished for doing the suitable protocols.”
Sunderland’s night time might have gotten worse on the loss of life when Ryan Longman’s drive cannoned again off it earlier than Terell Thomas fired broad from close-range.
Wimbledon boss Glyn Hodges mentioned: “We’re actually pissed off. On the finish we had two nice possibilities however their equaliser, I’ll have to take a look at it once more, however I felt it was a foul and we did sufficient to win the sport.”
