Spurs shadow line-up sparks inquiry

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 39

Spurs shadow line-up sparks inquiry

NZPA-Reuter London The English F.A. Cup finalist, Tottenham, lost, 0-1, to the league champion, Everton, yesterday with a team including only one player, Gary Stevens, who played against Watford last Saturday. Four players made their league debuts and a fifth, Vincent Samways, had one previous appearance as substitute to his credit League officials promised a full investigation.

A spokesman, Andy Williamson, said, “We received a telex from Tottenham late this afternoon listing eight injured players and saying that three others were being rested. “It was too late to do anything about it but it is certain we will be instituting an inquiry.” Spurs, who will meet Coventry in the cup final at Wembley this week-end, were fined by the ieague three

years ago when they fielded 10 reserves at Southampton two days before a U.E.F.A. Cup final first leg. The manager, David Pleat, said, “You can only play your best available team... . we have had eight matches in 22 days and I have protected my England players for six Derek Mountfield scored in the eighty-first minute, leaving Everton nine points ahead of the second-placed Liverpool at the end of the division one programme. The U.E.F.A. Cup and Scottish Cup finalist, Dundee United, also had a virtual reserve line-up and drew, 1-1, in a Scottish premier match at Hearts.. Scott Crabbe of Hearts was sent off for retaliation in the sixty-eighth minute. United will face St Mirren In the Scottish Cup final during the week-end.