Charlton Athletic boss Bowyer set to change post-match approach after latest touchline ban

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Lee Bowyer is set to change his post-match approach after being hit with a three-game touchline ban by the FA.

The Charlton Athletic manager will start his suspension on Saturday – watching the home game against Derby County from the stand.

And Bowyer, who was also fined £4,000 after accepting a charge of improper conduct and/or questioning the integrity of a match official in the recent match against Swansea at The Valley, will also not be in the Addicks dugout for the away matches at Bristol City on Tuesday and West Bromwich Albion the following weekend.

The 42-year-old also served a three-game touchline ban in March 2019 after being found guilty of verbally abusing referee Chris Kavanagh in the 2-1 win at AFC Wimbledon.

It is understood that Bowyer, who had a personal hearing with an FA panel on Monday, will no longer approach match officials at the full-time whistle – even if he feels they have officiated the contest well.

“I’m disappointed to get the ban,” the Addicks chief told the South London Press. “I’m trying. I’m a passionate person and I’m trying to learn from my mistakes.

“Last season I got a ban for shouting and swearing at the ref and I’m not doing that anymore. I know I shouldn’t have been doing that anyway but I am learning. I spoke to the ref [in the Swansea fixture] calmly but he thought I said something he didn’t like.

“A ban like that is harsh.”

Bowyer will still be able to go in the changing room before the match and at half-time and full-time along with doing his media duties.

“It will be Johnnie [Jackson] shouting the instructions instead of me,” he said. “I’m still the one organising everything and our preparation will be done on Thursday and Friday.

“There’s not really that much I shout on about anyway, only maybe positional stuff at certain times.

“The players know their jobs before they go out out there, so there is not much to tinker with. Even if we change formation they will know what to do if we were to change.”

Krystian Bielik, such a huge loan hit from Arsenal last season, could face the Addicks tomorrow if he recovers from a thigh injury picked up on international duty.

The Poland international, inset left, signed for Derby in a £10million deal at the start of August.

“He is a very good pro and a very good player – you don’t move for £10m if you aren’t,” said Bowyer.

“If they didn’t come and take him then we had a good chance of getting him back – a bit like Josh Cullen. Arsenal were saying that too. But when someone pays that kind of money then it becomes impossible.

“He was a big part of us getting up last year. I wish him all the best – after this weekend.”