Bradford City: FA to investigate after Exeter City make six substitutes in FA Cup tie against Bantams

Bradford City could be handed an FA Cup lifeline after the club confirmed an investigation is underway following Exeter City's use of six substitutes in Tuesday night's first-round replay.
DEFEAT: For Derek Adams and Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.DEFEAT: For Derek Adams and Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.
DEFEAT: For Derek Adams and Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.

The alleged offence occurred when Josh Key was introduced for Sam Nombe in extra time. Clubs are allowed three chances to make substitutions during the 90 minutes and are given one further slot to make changes in extra time but they must not exceed the five-substitute limit.

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A club statement from Bradford said: "Bradford City AFC can today confirm that an FA investigation is underway following last night’s Emirates FA Cup first-round replay at Exeter City.

SIXTH SUB: Josh Key was Exeter City's sixth substitute as they beat Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.SIXTH SUB: Josh Key was Exeter City's sixth substitute as they beat Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.
SIXTH SUB: Josh Key was Exeter City's sixth substitute as they beat Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images.
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"The review comes in relation to the number of substitutions made by the Grecians in the tie.

"City officials have provided feedback on the matter which will be considered by an FA committee, along with comments from Exeter, the match referee and fourth official.

"The club awaits further correspondence from the FA and will communicate information as and when it is received, with an outcome expected this week."

Manager Derek Adams felt his side deserved the win after they were beaten by Exeter on Tuesday night.

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The Bantams were beaten 3-0 after extra time and had Lee Angol sent off in stoppage time of the first half of extra time.

It was a case of what could have been for Bradford after Elliott Watt hit the bar in the 93rd minute of normal time while Levi Sutton also squandered a promising opportunity.

Two goals from Matt Jay, either side of a Nigel Atangana strike, won the game for the Grecians who are in line to face Cambridge United in the second round.

“I thought in the 90 minutes we were the better team,” reflected Adams.

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“We had most of the play and created some good openings, Levi (Sutton) had one and I think he should have had a penalty as well and then we hit the bar. Up until that point, we were very good.

“I think the problem came in extra-time. Lee Angol came on and it looked like they were trying to get him booked and sent off very quickly because of the threat that he can cause. They got him booked, they got him second booked and that caused us a problem.

“He has to learn from that. It caused the whole team a problem and they scored from a poor free-kick from our point of view and Jay, who was the difference on the night, scores a fantastic goal.”

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