Fulham substitution causes chaos as Marco Silva fumes after bizarre three-minute mix-up
Fulham boss Marco Silva fumed at the fourth official over an apparent mix-up with his substitutions during his side’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. With the Cottagers trailing 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium, Silva was furious when confusion meant Ryan Sessegnon had to be taken off the pitch.
Sessegnon was one of three players to make way in a bold triple substitution in the 58th minute. However, as the 24-year-old shook hands with Fulham’s backroom staff and made his way to his seat on the bench, Silva appeared to drag him back onto the pitch. Sander Berge, who was also set to be taken off, stood by the touchline and looked bemused as chaos unfolded.
It seemed that Silva had actually wanted Sessegnon to stay on the pitch. Fourth official Tim Robinson called over referee Michael Oliver and showed him a piece of paper.
The document is likely to have been the sheet coaches submit to the officials before substitutions are made. Oliver pointed towards Sessegnon and told him to go off. The Fulham star stood with his hands outstretched and protested, before making his way back to the bench.
Silva first complained to Oliver and then angrily walked towards his seat in the dugout. The 47-year-old continued to shout before aiming his ire at Robinson, having marched up to the fourth official to remonstrate. He then accepted that the change was not going to be reversed and returned to his seat.
Sessegnon was replaced by Adama Traore, while Sander Berge and Rodrigo Muniz made way for Tom Cairney and Raul Jimenez. The changes took three minutes to make, prompting jeers from inside the stadium over the lengthy wait for play to restart.
It is unclear how the mix-up occurred. Silva perhaps made a late U-turn on his decision to withdraw Sessegnon, but was told that his decision came after the change had been submitted to the officials and was therefore too late.
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