
<p>Manchester City has announced that former star Francis “Franny” Lee has passed away at the age of 79. Lee became a legend at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">City</a> after scoring 148 goals in 330 total games with the club. The striker helped bring an English league title to City in 1968. It was the team’s last top-flight triumph up until 2012. Along with the title, Lee also guided City to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/">FA Cup</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/league-cup-tv-schedule/">League Cup</a> trophies in 1969 and 1970 respectively.</p>



<h2>City to erect a statue of Francis Lee outside of stadium</h2>



<p>“Franny passed away in the early hours of this morning after a long battle with cancer,” an <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/francis-lee-passing-63831855" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official statement</a> released by City read. “His wife Gill and children Charlotte, Jonny, and Nik say he will be sorely missed and would like to thank everyone for their kind words.”</p>



<p>“Everyone at Manchester City would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Francis at this very difficult time. As a mark of respect, flags around the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy are flying at half-mast.”</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RIP Franny Lee. A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dcfc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dcfc</a> title-winner in 74/75 who banged in 30 goals in two seasons, including this rocket against Man City which saw Barry Davies utter the famous words, &apos;Looks at his face, just look at his face!&apos; Farewell to a Rams hero. 🐏<a href="https://t.co/KhDMzdJZ5R">pic.twitter.com/KhDMzdJZ5R</a></p>— Steve Bloomer’s Washing (@SteveBloomerPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveBloomerPod/status/1708876500551053492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Former club will honor Lee with minute’s applause in next game</h5>



<p>Along with his successes at City, Lee also played for Bolton Wanderers and Derby County as well. The star striker made his senior debut with Bolton at the age of 16. He ended up netting 106 goals in 220 matches for the club before moving to City. </p>



<p>“All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to hear of the passing of former player Francis Lee at the age of 79,” read the club’s <a href="https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/francis-lee-1944-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>. “Lee scored 106 goals in just 210 appearances for the Whites in his position as a winger or more central forward.”</p>



<p>“Wanderers will pay their respects to Lee at Tuesday night’s home game against Stevenage with a minute’s applause before kick-off and both teams will black arm bands.”</p>



<p>After his time with City, Lee then moved on to Derby County. The former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a> international only played two seasons with the Rams, but helped them collect the 1974/75 league title. It was the club’s second-ever top-flight victory and their final one to date.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport</em>.</p>


Manchester City legend Francis Lee dies, age 79

Former Bolton, Manchester City, and Derby County legendary striker Francis Lee has passed away at the age of 79 after a battle with cancer.

Manchester City legend Francis Lee dies, age 79 - World Soccer Talk


<p>Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt picked up a red card late in the side’s 3-1 victory against Fleetwood on Tuesday for illegal use of technology. No, he did not show bad behavior or throw out any abusive language. Instead, referees kicked Evatt out of the match for telling the fourth official that he made a mistake after the manager viewed an incident on a tablet.</p>



<p>The situation started in the 67th minute. Bolton striker Dion Charles earned a red card. Evatt reviewed the incident involving his player with a tablet on the bench. The manager then reported the apparent error to the fourth official. However, match referee Tom Nield brandished Evatt a red card of his own.</p>



<h2>Bolton manager Evatt suffers from new technology rules</h2>



<p>The sending-off comes down to a new “misuse of technology” rule in the English Football League. According to the newly implemented law, coaches cannot use their electronics to help make a case during a match. The <a href="https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23725870.bolton-wanderers-set-decide-ian-evatt-red-card-appeal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official rule</a> states: “A team official who uses unauthorized equipment or who behaves in an inappropriate manner as a result of the use of electronic or communication equipment will be sent off.”</p>



<p>After the game, Bolton’s assistant coach Peter Atherton explained the situation. “The gaffer merely said he’d seen [the incident] back,” <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCRMsport/status/1691572811158978609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> Atherton. “He wasn’t making any reference, there was no misconduct in terms of abusive language or anything like that. He just said ‘I’ve seen it back and he’s got it wrong. The keeper’s tripped Dion up.’ And apparently from just referring to the fact that he’s seen it back, that’s a red card.” </p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ "There was no misconduct…" <br><br>Bolton assistant manager Peter Atherton on why Ian Evatt was shown a red card in tonight&apos;s game against Fleetwod Town<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcfootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbcfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcefl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbcefl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BWFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BWFC</a></p>— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCRMsport/status/1691572811158978609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Club could appeal decision before next match</h5>



<p>Bolton now must decide on whether to appeal the manager’s sending off. Atherton stated that more information will be needed to make the final call. “I don’t know right now, the secretary of the club will look into that now,” <a href="https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23725870.bolton-wanderers-set-decide-ian-evatt-red-card-appeal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> the assistant coach when asked directly about an appeal.</p>



<p>“Until we see the report we are not really sure what the referee has seen and it will be interesting to see his view on the two incidents. The disappointing one for the gaffer is that he will miss some time on the touchline.”</p>



<p>Bolton, with or without Evatt, will next face Wigan at home on Saturday, August 19th. The Wanderers are currently leading <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/english-league-one-tv-schedule/">League One</a> thanks to three consecutive convincing victories in the division. They have racked up nine goals while allowing just one during league play so far this season.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</em></p>


Bolton manager sent off for bizarre 'misuse of technology' rule

Bolton manager Ian Evatt was strangely sent off during his team's victory against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday thanks to a new technology rule.

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