Sky Bet Championship winners Burnley were finally presented with their trophy on Monday, but neither Joey Barton nor James Tarkowski were awarded their medals due to an “administrative error”.
The Clarets had been forced to wait to get their hands on the silverware despite winning the division at Charlton on Saturday following the Football League’s controversial decision not to allow teams to lift the cup at opposition’s grounds.
Trophy should have been there yesterday. We earned it. 46 games. 23 undefeated. And lifting blow up/cardboard trophies? Shambles.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 8, 2016
Having used an inflatable version at The Valley, Sean Dyche’s squad were able to celebrate with their trophy in front of the steps to Burnley Town Hall on Monday evening but both defender Tarkowski and former England cap Barton, who were the last two introduced to the crowd, missed out on receiving their winners’ medals.
Writing on their Twitter account, Burnley explained:
The Football League advised the club that 25 medals were to be presented, but the club put forward 27 players. (2/3) #Champions
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) May 9, 2016
“Burnley Football Club would like to apologise for the mix-up during the medal ceremony. (1/3) #Champions
“The Football League advised the club that 25 medals were to be presented, but the club put forward 27 players. (2/3) #Champions
We would like to apologise to the @football_league for this administrative error and every player will be receive one. (3/3) #Champions
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) May 9, 2016
“We would like to apologise to the @football_league for this administrative error and every player will be receive one. (3/3) #Champions”
A representative from the Football League had earlier been booed when introduced to the crowd before the players came out while Barton appeared uninterested in lifting the trophy when it was passed around following his snub.
