West Brom ‘only trained for THREE hours’ during whole of Spain warm-weather break which involved ‘Taxi-gate’
Alan Pardew's players were due to spend three days at Espanyol's training ground, Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque
WEST BROM are said to have trained for just THREE hours during their 'taxi-gate' trip to Barcelona.
Alan Pardew's players were due to spend three days at Espanyol's training ground, Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
But the report that the players spent minimal time training during a warm-weather camp in which they allegedly stole a taxi.
They are alleged to have nabbed the cab and while the driver was collecting a massive food order at a McDonald's drivethrough at 5.30am on Thursday.
But despite the fallout putting his own job on the line, Pardew decided NOT to axe the quartet.
Pardew's shamed stars issued a grovelling apology for their behaviour during the club's training trip to Spain.
Ahead of confirmation of today’s court decision, it had been thought the players could receive a community service order lasting 31 to 90 days or a fine under Spanish law.
The four West Brom players were identified by police in a report handed to the investigating judge following the bizarre Thursday morning incident.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
McDonald’s duty manager Saray Ortega Gracia called cops when the driver told her that his car had been taken as he ordered burgers for the players.
The 29-year-old said over the weekend: “The driver placed a big order - a Big Mac meal each and four chicken burgers and the bill was 31 Euros (£27.95).
“The driver got out to collect the order and one of the men got behind the wheel.
West Brom player's statement
The players' statement read: "We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our team-mates, the head coach, the club and especially the supporters for the events which have been the subject of widespread and negative publicity.
"We felt it important we identify ourselves as the players involved in an incident which occurred during the training camp in Spain this week out of respect for team-mates who otherwise could be implicated by association.
"We freely acknowledge and apologise for the break of curfew which we accept represented a breach of the standards of professionalism required of us as representatives of West Bromwich Albion FC.
“They thought it was funny but I felt sorry for him. I didn’t learn they were rich footballers until later. I hope the police deal with them.”
Police later confirmed they passed the players’ details on to an investigating court after racing to their five-star boutique hotel The One to recover the taxi at around 8am following a call from a concerned receptionist.
Defender Evans, 30, was stripped of the captaincy for the Baggies' FA Cup defeat against Southampton.
Barry and Evans were booed by fans as they were introduced to the crowd before kick-off.
The 2-1 home loss saw they dumped out of the cup, with Premier League survival their priority.
The club are seven points from safety with 11 games remaining and they next face Huddersfield at home on Saturday.