Ian Holloway has launched a furious tirade against the Football Association after Swindon Town captain Ollie Clarke was suspended just 24 hours before a crucial League Two match. The veteran manager described the decision as 'absolutely disgusting' and challenged the governing body to ban him as well.
Clarke was banned for Saturday's game against Barrow, which Swindon won to maintain their play-off place. The suspension stemmed from a previous seven-game ban that the club believed did not apply to the EFL Trophy tie at Luton, for which they were fined £1,000. Holloway learned of the additional one-match ban on Friday, leaving him no time to adjust his plans.
Holloway's anger was compounded by a separate incident in which Swindon were warned they could be punished for fielding Aaron Drinan as a substitute when his name was not on the team sheet. The club blamed a clerical error by the club secretary, who pressed the wrong button on an online portal, and claimed match officials failed to correct the mistake at half-time.
Speaking in a heated interview, Holloway said: 'They want to fine me? Good! They want to ban me? Good! Do it. Have a look at yourselves every single one of you. It's absolutely disgusting.' He added that the club could now be thrown out of the EFL Trophy, describing the situation as creating a 'siege mentality'.
The outburst is the latest in a long line of memorable rants from Holloway, who previously managed Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers. Swindon have indicated they may appeal any further sanctions.
