EFL boss reveals what sparked him squaring up to Shrewsbury rival as he faces FA probe over moment of madness
BOLTON boss Ian Evatt has accused Shrewsbury captain Morgan Feeney of “grabbing” him during their post-match altercation but admits he “went too far”.
The former Blackpool defender, 42, went over to the referee to protest the lack of stoppage time after the final whistle blew in his side’s 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury on Saturday.
The League One coach began discussions with the official on the pitch but then became embroiled in a spat with centre-back Feeney, 25.
He was subsequently sent off and a disciplinary hearing is now underway.
Ahead of the decision, Evatt has given his side of the story, insisting he was provoked into a reaction.
Speaking to The Bolton News, he said: “Obviously I am not going to say too much because I am part of a process with the FA but what I will say is that I am disappointed. I am not happy with the way things turned out.
“There wasn’t an issue with the referee at all, we were discussing the timing situation, and there was context to my actions.
“Their player grabbed me, said some not very nice things, and I reacted in a way I shouldn’t have done.
“Whether it was emotion, frustration, passion, whatever you want to call it, it probably went too far.
“But as I say, there is context behind the way I reacted and I will be discussing that with the FA.”
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It is understood Bolton fear Evatt could face a more lengthy punishment than the regulation one-game ban.
He is expected to miss their next game at home to Burton, but could also be absent for their following matches against Birmingham and Peterborough.
Evatt has been in charge of Bolton since July 2020, earning promotion to League One in his first season in charge.
He also led them to an EFL Trophy triumph in 2023.
He has won 120 of 139 games as Bolton boss, but narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship last season as his side were beaten 2-0 in the play-off final by Oxford.
Bolton sit 13th in League One with 14 points from their opening nine matches.