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Sheffield Wednesday: Owls fan James banned from line for Cardiff clash
Wednesday 27 April 2016
Rookie official James Bell - who has been dropped from Sheffield Wednesday’s key play-off duel with Cardiff City - is an Owls fan, The Star can confirm.
Bell, in his first season as a Football League official, was originally chosen to be one of the linesmen assisting referee Paul Tierney in Saturday’s crunch showdown at Hillsborough.
But Bell, regarded as one of the most promising officials in the country, stood down yesterday and has been replaced by Ravel Cheosiaua after Football League bosses learned of Bell’s eye-catching appointment.
It is understood Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman contacted the League to express their concerns over the issue. Following the League’s U-turn, Cheosiaua has swapped matches with Oughtibridge-based Bell, who will now be the assistant referee of the Nottingham Forest versus Wolves fixture.
One of the linesmen has been changed for Cardiff City's crunch play-off showdown with Sheffield Wednesday after it was revealed he comes from the steel city.
Football League bosses made the move within hours of the story as the Professional Game Match Officials Board said a software error was responsible for Bell's appointment.
James Bell has been stood down for the huge Hillsborough clash in his home-town and replaced instead by Worcestershire-based official Ravel Cheosiaua.
Original Story and decision
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