BIZARRE BOYATA ERROR: BELGIUM CHARGED

BELGIUM have been charged by UEFA after Dedryck Boyata wore Michy Batshuayi’s shirt for part of their European Qualifier against Russia at the weekend.

The former Celtic centre-back was officially named on the team sheet as No 4, but appeared for the second half with the correctly numbered shorts but wearing Batshuayi’s No 23 top.

Boyata apparently changed into a fresh shirt at the interval and picked up the wrong jersey, as Sky Sports News claim.

The error was not spotted by Belgium’s backroom staff until some time after the teams restarted and the defender, who quit the Hoops in the summer for Bundeslia strugglers Hertha Berlin, only switched back to his assigned number in the 57th minute.

The Belgian FA has been charged under article 43 (1) of the competition regulations which state: “Before each match, each team shall indicate in the relevant match sheet the numbers, full names, dates of birth and, if applicable, shirt names of the 23 players in the squad.”

Belgium have also been handed a “delayed kick-off” charge relating to the same game, but there is no confirmation whether this is related to the shirt error.

Roberto Martinez’s side won 4-1 in Moscow. Both nations are through to next summer’s Finals from Scotland’s qualifying group.