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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

Barnsley hit out at 'harsh' blow for crunch Nottingham Forest clash

Barnsley boss Markus Schopp will be without two of his right-hand men by his side against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

Assistant coaches Tonda Eckert and Joseph Laumann will both serve a touchline suspension and have been fined for breaching Football Association rules in a match against Stoke City earlier this month.

Eckert and Laumann will miss three and two games respectively, starting immediately, leaving Schopp to cope without their help against the Reds.

A statement from the FA read: “Stoke City FC and Barnsley FC have been fined £10,000 and £8,000 respectively for a breach of FA Rule E20.1 that occurred during their EFL Championship game on Wednesday, 15 September, 2021.

"Both clubs admitted that they failed to ensure their players and club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from provocative behaviour during the 90th minute of the game.

“In addition, Tonda Eckert and Joseph Laumann have been suspended from the touchline for three and two games respectively and have also been fined £2,750 and £2,500 each. Both Barnsley FC coaches admitted that their behaviour during the 90th minute amounts to improper and violent conduct.

“Dean Holden and Rory Delap have been suspended from the touchline for one game and fined £2,000 and £1,800 respectively. Both Stoke City FC coaches admitted that their behaviour in the 90th minute amounts to improper conduct and Rory Delap also admitted that his constitutes violent conduct.

“An independent Regulatory Commission was convened to decide upon the sanctions for both of the clubs and their respective coaches. The written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.”

Barnsley responded with an official statement, saying: “As a club we believe the punishment handed out to our staff is harsh and we stand by them.

“Notwithstanding the above, we apologise as a club for the inappropriate conduct on the night.

“With the suspensions enforced immediately, Laumann will return to the dugout on Saturday, 16 October at Reading, whilst Eckert will return in time for the trip to the Riverside on Wednesday, October 20.

“The club will not comment further on this matter.”

Forest make the trip to Oakwell for the midweek Championship clash aiming to register their first win under new boss Steve Cooper.

His Barnsley counterpart, on the other hand, is feeling the pressure after a miserable run of results.

The Tykes are just three points above the Reds in the table, having not won since their second league game of the season.

What's your score prediction against Barnsley? Have your say in the comments below

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