'That shouldn't be right': Charlton boss Lee Bowyer offers this verdict on key Sunderland debate

Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer has called for consistency in calling-off fixtures due to coronavirus outbreaks – and has cited Sunderland as a key example.
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A host of League One fixtures have been postponed throughout December, with Sunderland themselves seeing four fixtures rescheduled after a COVID-19 outbreak at the Academy of Light.

And Bowyer has called for ‘fairness’ when it comes to deciding which games are being postponed, having pointed to the Black Cats’ 1-1 draw with Wimbledon earlier this month as an example.

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Sunderland opted to play that fixture despite being without eight first-team players, with a club statement saying that the decision was made after ‘an agreement couldn’t be reached due to the lack of clarity regarding potential sanctions SAFC could face in the event that the fixture was unfulfilled.’

Lee BowyerLee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer

Bowyer believes clearer guidelines are required when it comes to postponement in order to ensure a fair competition.

“There has to be fairness as well,” he said, speaking to talkSPORT.

"I felt for Sunderland the other week when they had eight cases but still had to play the game.

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“It’s not a fair competition then. You could understand if you’ve got injuries and other illnesses but this is out of their hands and they had to play a game with eight players out. That shouldn’t be right.”

The draw with Wimbledon was the Black Cats’ last outing, with Lee Johnson’s side yet to take to the field since December 15.

But the side are now back in training ahead of a return to action at Northampton Town on January 2.

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