Joseph Masi and Luke Hatfield discussed all of the latest West Bromwich Albion news on the most recent edition of The Express and Star’s West Brom podcast, Baggies Broadcast.
They spent some time talking about what potential punishment the West Midlands club is likely to be handed as a result of their agreement with West Ham United not to use Robert Snodgrass in their Premier League meeting on 19th January after the Baggies signed the 33-year-old Scotsman from the Irons 11 days before that fixture took place.
The Premier League is investigating whether this agreement between the two clubs ‘breached regulations’ and it’s been claimed that, ‘in theory, potential sanctions could include a points deduction.’
Masi declared that he feels this punishment would be “very harsh” on this podcast, however, and claimed that if Albion are punished for what they’ve done, then they are “likely” to be handed a fine, rather than a points deduction.
He said: “As it stands, they are being investigated for it and it could lead to a punishment. That punishment is likely to be a fine, I think a few people have said [a] points deduction – I don’t think that’ll be the case at all, [that would] be very, very, very harsh. I think that would lead to a world of bother, to be honest. If Albion have breached the rules, then it will be a fine.”
Do you think West Brom will get a points deduction?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on what Masi had to say about West Brom’s potential punishment…
Given that West Brom are in a relegation scrap at present, with the West Midlands club sitting second from bottom in the Premier League, six points from safety, it may be fair to say that they need every point they can get and a points deduction could be devastating for the Baggies in their battle against relegation.
With that in mind, we feel it would be understandable if Baggies fans breathed a sigh of relief over Masi’s claim.
So, hopefully, for West Brom, if they are found guilty of breaching Premier League regulations, Masi is right and they are punished with a fine rather than a points deduction.