Exclusive: Sunderland would have broken Premier League rules with Coventry plan
Sunderland face Coventry City in a crucial playoff clash on Tuesday evening.
The Black Cats take a 2-1 lead into the second leg against Frank Lampard‘s side and will be looking to book their place in the Wembley showcase.
They need to secure a draw at the very least if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the Premier League alive and they have resorted to drastic measures.
Sunderland cunning plan to stop Coventry revealed
Le Bris‘ side need to stop Milan van Ewick’s devastating long throws and they have taken a step to do exactly that ahead of the contest.
A report from Sky Sports’ Keith Downie (13 May) claims that the Mackems have moved their LED advertising boards forward two metres to help them stop the dangerous throw-ins.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes that this strategy would break the rules and could not be performed in the top-flight.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “At the start of each season, the clubs have to declare the size of their playing area in the Premier League.
“It is I believe a regulation that then does not allow them to change the size of their playing area playing surface in that season.
“I am unsure that this regulation applies at Football League level.
“I know that at several Premier League academies clubs use this information and then practice set pieces etc, on a playing area that represents the size of the pitch of the next opposition on an away game.”
Sunderland need every advantage they can get against Coventry
The Black Cats need to be back in the top division of the English game, there is no two ways about that, they are far too big to be languishing in the Championship.
Lampard’s side are a very dangerous team, the former Chelsea star has turned them into a brilliant outfit, winning 16 of his 30 matches in charge in the league.
The hosts need to do whatever is necessary to go through to face Sheffield United at Wembley, if that is to move the advertising boards, then so be it.