The EFL took retroactive action against Ashley Fletcher, a summer signing from Watford, so the has learnt he will have to do without the striker for his first three games in charge. It comes after an incident that took place during the first half of Wycombe Wanderers’ 2-2 draw with us last Saturday.
After an incident involving Chairboys’ Dan Harvie, the 28-year-old, who has started three of the Seasiders’ four League One games this season, was charged with misconduct.
Video from the incident at Bloomfield Road, which surfaced after the game, shows Fletcher hitting the defender in the head; at the time, match official Darren Drysdale and his assistants failed to see this
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Nevertheless, the league’s governing body has since located the Blackpool forward and punished him with an automatic three-match suspension for violent misconduct; the player has accepted the punishment.
“Blackpool’s Ashley Fletcher has been given a three-match suspension for misconduct in their EFL League One match against Wycombe Wanderers,” the EFL said in a statement.
The forward accepted the automatic penalty and acknowledged that his actions around the 32nd minute constituted violent conduct.
Following up, the Seasiders released the following statement: “Blackpool Football Club acknowledges the FA’s decision to serve Ashley Fletcher a three-match suspension for misconduct during last month’s fixture vs Wycombe Wanderers.” As a result, Fletcher will be absent from the Seasiders’ next three games.
The striker will now miss the upcoming league games against Exeter and Charlton. The striker scored on his Pool debut against Crawley on the first day of the season. On Tuesday, September 17, Blackpool’s Carabao Cup third-round match against Sheffield Wednesday is likewise off-limits.
On September 28, Bruce will have his first opportunity to use the former Middlesbrough and West Ham forward against Burton.
Having lost their first four games, Blackpool is presently third from bottom in League One. In his first season as manager, Bruce has been tasked with leading the Seasiders into the playoffs, a task made more difficult by the fact that not every player is available for selection.
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