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Roy Hodgson could face Premier League charge

last updated Friday 09th April 2010, 1:27 PM
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
     
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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is set to cause a storm of controversy by resting several first-team players for Sunday's Premier League visit to Liverpool.

Hodgson's team beat German champions Wolfsburg last night to book their place in the Europa League semi-finals and a two-legged tie against Hamburg later this month.

But with Fulham's Premier League place secure for another season, Hodgson admitted their European adventure would take priority for the rest of the campaign.

He said today: "It was our 54th game of the season so for any team that's a big ask and for a team like ours who haven't had experience of European football it's been very demanding on a small group of players.

"League survival was our priority. Now we have 41 points we've had a good season in the League and I honestly don't believe we'll be relegated now or reach the top places so the League must now take second place for the cup."

Although understandable given Fulham's run in Europe, Champions League-chasing Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa will be angered if mass changes sees players such as Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy and Damien Duff rested at Anfield.

And Hodgson's comments will not go unnoticed by West Ham given that the relegation-threatened side have already lodged an official complaint with the League after a depleted Fulham lost 2-0 at Hull last month.

If Hodgson does rest key players for their remaining domestic fixtures the decision could have a significant impact at both ends of the table with the clash at Liverpool followed by games against Wolves, Everton, West Ham and Arsenal.

Earlier this season the Premier League handed Wolves a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding a weakened team in their 3-0 defeat at Manchester United in December.

The League statement at the time said: "The team fielded was not full strength and therefore in breach of rule E20."







































































Source Tim Nichols at Thisislondon
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