Jon Dahl Tomasson says he feels for the players involved after Rovers’ lost their appeal against the EFL’s decision not to sanction the signings of Lewis O’Brien and Ethan Brierley.

Rovers took their case to an independent panel hearing after being rejected first by the EFL, and then the EFL board.

The independent arbitrator sided with the EFL’s case, meaning Rovers missed out on the chance to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder, as well as Rochdale’s Ethan Brierley.

Rovers still hope to find a conclusion whereby teenager Brierley will join the club, but is now featuring for the League Two side in their bid to avoid the drop.

O’Brien however, cannot play for Forest having not been registered in their 25-man Premier League squad.

 

 

Rovers missed the 11pm deadline for the signing of O’Brien, which would have been an initial loan with the option to make that deal permanent.

When asked about the verdict, Tomasson said: “I feel sorry for the boys, and the club have done a lot.

“To be honest at the minute I’m only focusing on Rovers and doing well, so I’m focusing on my part of the game.

“I keep focused on the lads I have and how we are doing.”

Forest boss Steve Cooper hit out at Rovers’ handling over O’Brien’s failed move for a second time.

Having not been registered in the Premier League squad, the midfielder, who only signed for Forest in the summer, faces the prospect of not featuring again this season, or looking for a move overseas, with the MLS the most likely destination.

Rovers maintained contact with Forest during the ongoing appeal process, with Gregg Broughton stating the Premier League side were alerted to the prospect of the move not going through prior to making the final decision over their 25-man squad.

Yet Cooper said the club, and player, had ‘been completely let down’, adding: “I personally, or anyone from the sporting side, has not heard a word from Blackburn, whether that is an explanation, an apology or what, I don’t know. I don’t think we would behave like that.

“It is complete mismanagement of a situation. We are annoyed at that and the common courtesy of not having a call or a text from anyone and I know some people on the football side at Blackburn as well.

“Let’s just say we wouldn’t treat a player or a club the way we or Lewis has been treated.”

A Blackburn Rovers spokesperson said: "Throughout the appeal process, which was a complex legal matter, confidentiality between all parties was absolutely key, to ensure that sensitive information, which could prejudice the case, wasn't leaked.

"The club was in constant communication with Nottingham Forest and the player’s representative throughout the entire process."