Hodgson saw his side record a battling 1-0 win over Basle

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson criticised Uefa after his side were forced to play their Europa League game with Basle without a replacement goalkeeper.

The Cottagers failed in an attempt to have Pascal Zuberbuhler registered for the match, which Fulham won 1-0, after an injury crisis at the club.

"Uefa want to make the league stronger and more prestigious so I don't understand this decision," he said.

"We protested and appealed but they stuck firm by their decision."

Fulham went into the game with only first-choice Mark Schwarzer available after back-up David Stockdale and the club's young keepers were ruled out.

Hodgson added: "It wouldn't have been so bad if the two 18-year-old keepers we had weren't injured as well.

"Uefa refused our request to replace the injured Stockdale with Zuberbuhler on the basis they didn't think the injury was sufficiently long-term.

"It's a decision we dispute. We think the game would be denigrated if an outfield player was in goal because your keeper became injured.

"With any luck Stockdale will be fit for the next game against Roma but there's no guarantee. If he isn't we could be in the same situation again.

"In the meantime we must thank our lucky stars Schwarzer wasn't injured and Zoltan Gera didn't have to put the gloves on, which he was looking forward to but I wasn't."

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