A 12 game ban for Lee Bowyer?! - - The official of Robbie Elliott

A 12 game ban for Lee Bowyer?! - 24/02/2004

Punished twice!

The news came through to the squad today that UEFA were not accepting the fact that Lee Bowyer had served his European ban. It’s really quite incredible and Lee’s not happy at all – can you blame him? Obviously there’s an administrative process that needs to be adhered to – and somewhere along the line the club seem to have fallen foul of it. What’s really frustrating is that common sense seems to have lost out to bureaucracy – did UEFA believe that the lack of Bow’s name on our team sheet was for any other reason than Newcastle knowing that he was banned?

Of course, now that the situation has reached the public domain, I really can’t see UEFA backing down. They had ample opportunity to sort things out when the club appealed. Having rejected the appeal, and although the PFA are now involved, I’d be surprised if they changed their minds. If they do have a re-think, credit to them!

We won three points on Saturday, although to be honest it was a terrible game and we were lucky to get the win. You’d have got some long odds on both goals coming from individual mistakes by Ehigou and Southgate – but that’s football. The Boro fans must have been sick, especially after Ricketts scored what looked like a fair goal. Yes, Juninho was in an offside position, but with FIFA’s new ruling, I was surprised, but relieved, that the officials ruled it out!

It was great to be back at St. James - although if only sitting on the bench, and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the fans in the Milburn Paddock and the Gallowgate who gave me a nice reception. I wondered how the fans would react to me – let’s face it, my appearances at St. James Park haven’t exactly been regular. But it’s a relief that most of you seem to realise that I’m totally committed to the club and that I’ve done all I can to get back into the team. So to everyone who gave me the reception – thank you – it’s much appreciated.

I’m also in the squad flying out to Norway, and with twenty players travelling, there’s also two young lads on the plane with us – Lewis Guy and Steven Taylor. There’s a fair chance that at least one will be on the bench, and this would be a fitting reward for some excellent reserve team performances from them both. It won’t be the last time they’re involved in the first team.