'We've done nothing wrong but we've been penalised' - Disappointed Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore on the handling of the Bolton Wanderers conflict

Darren Moore feels Doncaster Rovers have been 'punished for something out of their control' as the dispute over the Bolton Wanderers situation draws to a conclusion.
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The EFL has once again reiterated it has ordered the controversial cancelled fixture from August to be rearranged and, while expressing their disappointment over the handling of the issue, Rovers are to abide by the decision

Bolton took the unilateral decision to cancel Rovers' scheduled August 20 trip to the University of Bolton Stadium with less than 36 hours notice.

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The Lancashire club were subsequently handed by an independent disciplinary panel a five point deduction, suspended for 18 months, plus a £70,000, half suspended for 18 months, for failing to fulfil that fixture, plus one against Brentford from last season.

Darren Moore. Picture: Marie CaleyDarren Moore. Picture: Marie Caley
Darren Moore. Picture: Marie Caley

The EFL failed in an appeal against the leniency of the punishment but has remained resolute in its belief the Rovers game should be rearranged.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the EFL's decision, Rovers boss Moore expressed his disappointment and belief that his club are the ones that have been punished.

"I'm disappointed for everybody at Doncaster Rovers Football Club," Moore told the Free Press.

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"I'm sure I speak on behalf of everybody connected at the football club.

"We've done nothing wrong but we've been penalised for doing nothing wrong.

"We've been absolutely professional and above board. We've followed the rules and regulations and in any football season we've done nothing wrong.

"But for some reason we've been punished for something that was out of our control.

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"We've acted in a professional manner and we will continue to do so.

"But it still doesn't equate to what has gone on.

"The rules and guidelines are there and I wish we could follow them and stay with them. They're there for a reason - to bring discipline, structure and organisation to it.

"For whatever reason, which none of us connected at Doncaster Rovers can see we've been penalised.

"That is a disappointment.

"But it's something we've got to just get on with because we've been told to get on with it.

"When that comes around we'll approach it."

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Moore insists there will be no extra edge to meetings with Bolton, with the home game on February 11 likely to come before the rearranged fixture.

"We'll be professional, as Bolton will be professional," he said.

"I'll treat the game in the most professional manner because I'm a professional.

"There won't be an extra edge to it for us. We'll prepare for it like any other game.

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"We followed the procedure that we thought was the correct procedure to follow and it's been through no fault of our own why that procedure has fallen down.

"How they deal with it in the future, because another one is probably on its way, we'll see how they deal with it.

"But for now, I'm disappointed for us all."

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