Sunday, December 22, 2024

Banned Bulut will watch Derby game ‘like a fan’

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[Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Manager Erol Bulut says he will watch Saturday’s Championship match away to Derby County “like a fan”.

Bulut was handed a one-match touchline ban after an incident in Cardiff’s 1-1 Championship draw at Swansea City last month.

He has called the ban “unfair” but has to comply.

Bulut said: “I will be in the directors’ box. Like a fan I will watch the game, thanks to referees.”

Asked about the punishment, Bulut said: “I think it was unfair that I got a red card without doing anything. I didn’t touch anybody, I didn’t say any bad words against anybody.

“I get touched and pulled, nobody from the opposition gets punished… the rules have maybe changed – you don’t touch anybody you get a red card, if you touch anybody you get nothing.”

Bulut said he submitted his views to the Football Association but had not expected to escape punishment.

However, the Cardiff manager is allowed to remain in contact with his coaches on the touchline.

In his absence last season, his long-time assistant Nicholaos Karydas took the helm in the technical area.

After the Swansea game, Bulut’s media duties were covered by former Watford coach Omer Riza, who has been part of Bulut’s staff since the summer.

Bulut said: “We will all be together on the phone. So I will try to help my guys from the directors’ box.”

Bulut says watching from the directors’ box means he will have to refrain from his usual animated approach when on the touchline.

He said: “I’m a person who is always active. I have to control myself for sure [in the stands].”

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