Bolton lose yet another appeal as FA charge ‘abusive’

‘I completely disagree with the referee’s account of what happened.

The FA has charged Ian Evatt, the manager of Bolton Wanderers, for allegedly using “foul and abusive language” during Saturday’s Sixfields matchup versus Northampton.

Evatt will be subject to a touchline ban if found guilty. He was sent off after halftime of the 1-1 draw. Bolton’s appeal against George Thomason’s red card in the same match was also unsuccessful, and the midfield player will miss three matches—including Tuesday’s victory against Wycombe.

Following their EFL League One match against Northampton Town on Saturday, February 10, Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt was charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1, according to a statement from the FA. He is accused of acting inappropriately and verbally abusing the match official at the halftime break, which resulted in his termination. He has until February 16 to address the accusation.

Evatt said the following during Tuesday’s Wycombe game: “We obviously lost the appeal with George, but we don’t really get an explanation—it’s just a yes or no.” That disappoints me because I believe there were sufficient reasons to have it reversed, but we must accept and honour the ruling. He has missed the last three games, the first of which was tonight.

“We had a good encounter today, and I don’t agree at all with the referee’s description of what transpired—in fact, not much happened at all. Now, all we have to do is wait and see what happens once I return a not guilty plea, but I’m assuming that get a personal hearing and we will be able to speak about that nearer the time. We will respond and see what happens.”