EPL looks into claim West Brom agreed not to play Snodgrass

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This article was published 19/01/2021 (2054 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LONDON – The Premier League is looking into why West Ham apparently struck an agreement with West Bromwich Albion for Robert Snodgrass not to play in Tuesday’s game as part of the winger’s transfer between the two clubs.

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce disclosed details of the transfer to his relegation-threatened team two weeks ago to explain the absence of Snodgrass.

“That was an agreement between the clubs that this game he would not be allowed to play,” Allardyce told broadcaster BT Sport ahead of the match in east London, which West Ham won 2-1. “We could only get the deal done with that agreement.”

West Ham is portraying it as a “gentleman’s agreement” rather than a formal part of the transfer.

But that could conflict with Premier League regulations which state that “no club shall enter into a contract which enables any other party to that contract to acquire the ability materially to influence its policies or the performance of its teams in league matches.”

Asked again about the arrangement after the match, Allardyce said: “Before I get myself in trouble, I’ll wait to see what the Premier League’s got to say.

“I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

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West Ham manager David Moyes said the matter wasn’t “any of my business.” ___

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