Fulham Manager Chris Coleman

Chris Coleman Stories

The Football Association are set to probe Fulham after their weekend friendly saw 49 footballers, 27 substitutions, two referees and three linesmen used in the game.

Cottagers manager Chris Coleman had used his full quota of replacements shortly before half time and declared his remaining five starters unfit to begin the second half.

The contest was abandoned at the interval, as match referee Peter Walton needed Fulham to restart the game with at least seven players on their team.

A new referee was found for the second half, which was turned into an 'exhibition match', with Coleman then breaking The FA's new rule on the amount of subs used in a friendly.

"We will be contacting Fulham and the referee to demand a full explanation of what happened at Saturday's game," said FA spokesman Colin Gibson.

Coleman has branded The FA's ruling a joke as he was only trying to get all his players into the game in preparation for the new season.

"I think it's a joke," said Coleman. "Pre-season is about getting your players fit and trying new things.

"The six substitutes rule should apply to international friendlies only. It just not make sense."