Bolton will claim mistaken identity over Charles red card & Kachunga punch

BOLTON are trying to get Dion Charles' farcical red card against Forest Green overturned.

Wanderers' Northern Ireland striker was sent off in the League One clash - despite being entirely innocent

His Bolton team-mate Elias Kachunga was the guilty party, punching Forest Green defender Brandon Cooper in the gut.

The Trotters will lodge a case of mistaken identity with the FA in a bid to get Charles' red card rescinded.

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That would most probably see Kachunga be hit with the ban.

The Bolton forward and his opponent tangled in the box in the 28th minute as Charles waited for a ball to be crossed.

But as play was paused by the linesman, referee Tom Nield got the wrong end of the stick.

Instead of making a beeline for Kachunga, who video proved was the offender, the official instead made his way over to Charles.

The prolific striker was having a drink of water on the sideline when Nield showed him a red card, prompting major confusion.

Fans chanted “you’re not fit to referee” as Charles protested his innocence to no avail.

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And many others flooded Twitter to question the decision, including Bolton’s official account.

The admin uploaded a post saying: “Dion Charles has been sent off. Some confusion around the ground, we’re not sure what’s happened there!?”

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Jokers Specsavers got in on the fun, replying: “We’re heading over immediately.”

One fan declared: “EFL unfit for purpose. 100 per cent appeal that.”

Another noted: “Unbelievable that Kachunga hasn’t owned up it’s him after seeing the red card.”

One added: “Of all the mistakes to make, sends off our top scorer and leaves our worst player on.”

Bolton boss Ian Evatt was stunned by the decision.

He said afterwards: "We cannot deny that Elias has let everybody down, showing that lack of discipline is not acceptable and he's apologised to the group.

"For the linesman to spot it is a good spot but then to get a player involved and sent off who was 15 yards away from the incident is baffling.

"There is enough finance in the game for us to be able to have VAR for every division in the English pyramid. This is equally important to us as it is to any Premier League team."

Charles had earlier fired the hosts ahead with just six minutes on the clock.

Despite being a man down for the rest of the game, Bolton managed to hold on to their slim advantage despite a second-half push from the visitors.

Bolton remain fifth in the League One table as a result, with Forest Green still bottom.