Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
was baffled by a decision made by UEFA in regards to registering
goalkeepers for the Europa League.
Despite a 1-0 win over Swiss club FC Basel on Thursday night,
the Cottagers were unable to have a back-up goalkeeper because UEFA
believed Fulham’s injured number two David Stockdale was not
sufficiently hurt.
Hodgson tried in vain to register Pascal Zuberbuhler for the
match because Stockdale was unavailable but UEFA turned down his
request.
"UEFA refused our request to replace the injured Stockdale with
Zuberbuhler on the basis they didn't think the injury was
sufficiently long term," he said.
"It wouldn't have been so bad if the two 18-year-old keepers we
had weren't injured as well. But Mark Schwarzer and Zuberbuhler are
our only fit keepers.
"It's a decision we dispute. We think the game would be
denigrated if an outfield player was in goal because your keeper
became injured.
"UEFA want to make the league stronger and more prestigious so I
don't understand this decision. We protested and appealed but they
stuck firm by their decision.
"With any luck Stockdale will be fit for the next game against
Roma but there's no guarantee.
If he isn't we could be in the same situation again.
"In the mean time we must thank our lucky stars Schwarzer wasn't
injured and Zoltan Gera didn't have to put the gloves on, which he
was looking forward to but I wasn't."