‘It’s poor’… Burnley fans left furious after ‘bizarre’ decision made by FA ahead of Bristol City clash

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Burnley are looking to take one step closer to promotion when they meet Bristol City this weekend but have been hampered by the FA ahead of time.

The Clarets suffered relegation from the Premier League last term but are now among the favourites to win promotion from the second tier in 2024/25.

Burnley beat Swansea City 2-0 in their final fixture before the March international break, seeing them move to within two points of first-place Leeds United, who dropped points against QPR.

There are now just two points separating the top three teams in the Championship going into the weekend.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59

But promotion for any of them is still by no means guaranteed, with Burnley tipped to become ‘unstuck’ in their attempts to regain Premier League status.

Now, ahead of the Clarets’ return to action versus Bristol City on Saturday, March 29th, fans have been left furious.

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Burnley fans furious at Scott Parker touchline ban

This comes after manager Scott Parker was given a one-game touchline ban and a £2,000 fine for misconduct by the FA.

The former Fulham midfielder was sent off in a clash versus West Bromwich Albion earlier in the month after entering the pitch to speak to match officials following Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley being sent off – his red card has since been recidned after an appeal.

However, Parker’s ban remains in place, and he will not be allowed on the touchline this Saturday, a decision that has left supporters furious.

One wrote: “It’s poor this considering Parker approached the ‘field of play’ after the full-time whistle, in a calm manner to speak to the referee about a decision the FA have admitted he got wrong.”

A second added: “What do you expect it’s Burnley. UTC,” while a third wrote: “Didn’t the ref become 4th official in the PL in his next game as well?!”

“That’s crazy, he was protesting against a red card that was rescinded?” a fourth questioned.

A fifth Burnely fan added: “For ‘remonstrating’ at the referee apparently, what a joke.”

Another stated: “Whilst technically correct, according to FA Rules, applying this sanction and fine is bizarre, bearing in mind Parker only sought to clarify what was going on when CJER had been red carded, for a red card that has since been rescinded. Make sense of it if you can.”

• READ MORE: Championship pundit makes Leeds United ‘ten point gap’ claim over Sheffield United and Burnley as ‘stark’ contrast emerges

Burnley shone last time Scott Parker was banned

Saturday’s meeting with Bristol City was not the first time Parker has been banned this season.

The manager also missed a meeting with Sheffield Wednesday last month when sidelined for one fixture.

Parker watched on from the stands at Turf Moor as his side thumped Danny Rohl’s men 4-0.

Speaking after that game, he said: “First half we started pretty slowly and lacked a bit of energy but the goal came at a great time for us,” he said.

“We were clinical, it’s another clean sheet, four goals and overall I’m very pleased.

“There were times when pressure was coming and this side prides itself on keeping clean sheets and tonight again we were resolute and stood up when we had to.”

Burnley fans are no doubt hoping for a repeat of that result when the ex-midfielder serves his second ban in the space of just over a month.