West Brom have quickly decided to threat legal action as The Times report that the Baggies have made an attempt to break FIFA rules.
There were claims that the newly relegated club, who will be playing in the Championship next season, were looking to sell Matheus Pereira.
However it adds that Luke Dowling attempted to sell the Brazilian for £25million that would have avoided tax and enabled Guochuan Lai to keep some of the profits for himself.
Dowling has since departed from The Hawthorns and has left Xu Ke in charge of proceedings, but it is unknown whether this had a say in the matter.
EXCLUSIVE: A senior executive at West Brom attempted to negotiate a £25m transfer that would have broken Fifa regulations, avoided tax, and enabled the English club’s Chinese owner to keep some of the proceeds of the sale | @Lawton_Times https://t.co/KUvwhUMB3i
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) June 28, 2021
WestBromNews explained: “It is no secret just how much money is in the Chinese Super League.
“That much so, the Chinese authorities have recently introduced limits to try and stop so much money being spent every single year.
“Periera could have been another European export to be shipped across the continent, but it looks as though that has ended.
“Dowling is said to have been in contact with an agent who has plenty of links to Chinese clubs, with Pereira likely to be sold.
“Line your pockets.
“This looks like just another attempt by Lai to make as much money for himself, rather than the club.
“How many more occasions will we find ourselves reading things such as this before something such as the sale of the club happens?
“Dowling appears to be the scapegoat in all of this and has eventually lost his job, something that was described as mutual termination.
“The manager hunt, and how slow it was going at the time could have been the perfect cover-up story to something such as this.
“Pereira is currently in Portugal with Filip Krovinovic, so no move looks like happening quickly, although we could have been in hot water over this.
“It is unknown whether even just attempting this could still land us in bother, but FIFA will surely be looking into the matter.”
This story was issued overnight, and on Monday morning, West Brom now threat legal action as The Times report the Baggies attempt to break FIFA rules.
A statement from West Bromwich Albion.
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) June 28, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
West Bromwich Albion Football Club is aware of an article published by The Times on Monday, June 28.
The club has sought the advice of its lawyers and will now explore all available legal options in response to the claims made by the newspaper in both its print and online editions.
Albion were approached last week by The Times and promptly responded to their queries via the club’s lawyers.
The club abides by all applicable laws and regulations concerning the transfer of the registrations of players and would not sanction a transfer that was not in accordance with such laws and regulations.
Discussions about prospective transfers, that may or may not occur for many reasons, are commonplace and are confidential. Matheus Pereira was an important member of the club throughout last season and he remains registered with the club.
The club can also confirm the claims made by The Times are in no way connected to the agreement to part company with Sporting and Technical Director Luke Dowling.
On the advice of its lawyers the club will make no further comment at this time.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Fans have since given their reaction as West Brom threat legal action as The Times report the Baggies attempt to break FIFA rules…
@AdeDeacon: We’re run no more or less corruptly than Aston Villa. We’re just not very good at it. As the song goes “There may be trouble ahead….” 🙄 #laiout
@_ColinGriffiths: I hope the club and the authorities investigate every transfer undertaken by LD. No smoke without fire.
@AlecSetalvad: Welcome to the Albion Ismael!
@Nathan1Wba: We’re finished
@JDWBA2: How much did you pocket from the Rondon deal then lads??
@KarlSteadman1: Wonder how much tax was avoided and proceeds the owner took from the Rondon sale 🤔
@aclashofchris: Makes sense as to why Dowling left. The sooner Lai is out of our club the better.
@asbo_wba: Shambles Albion. Shambles.
@NickSmalling: Ah shit.
@KCBlues_: Your club is in a mess. Welcome to the club Albion. You’ll know what it’s really like.
@nick_wba: Remove the owners immediately
@kingofchezo_WBA: Honestly it’s never ending with this club isn’t it never ending. There’s always something 🤦🏻♂️
@grorty_dickos: What is this owner doing to our great club.? Sly back hander attempts if true are a slap in the face for every fan.
@JN19WBA: LAI OUT 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
@joewoodwba: A grim grim read!!! As a fan the very least you can ask for is that decisions are made at board level with the clubs beat interests at heart even if you don’t always agree! But auctioning off your best asset to fund owner greed is an outrageous abuse of power! Scary #laiout
@Jasper_WBA2: 😭 we’re finished
@WayneBa63372096: This is the worrying thing. If this deal was fraudulent in any way, we are screwed. Fine/ points deduction looming.
@ftbl_joey: #LaiOut
@ANorthantsfan: Money laundering by a foreign owner through the English game? Nooooo
@junes_mr: We’re in deep shit ay we 😂🤡
@svlfortz: Lai Out.
@Roberts17D: Nobody likes our owner (fans) and this just makes the matter worse, don’t the FA vet them before they can buy a club, #Laiout
@islaxjackson: Jesus Christ Albion WTF!! Clubs an embarrassment!! Was gonna renew today but why would I give that owner… if he is the owner..any of my hard earned cash! He needs to go and sell up ASAP! #laiout
@WBAFC_Cam: Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
@Jaywba1982: Dodgy fkers hope they get done
@lukenbsmyth: What a mess. #laiout
@MatteusWBA: When are we as a fanbase going to do anything about this? We all laugh and call Top 6 fanbases “plastic” but look what they did to protest against their clubs joining the super league! When the hell are we going to do the same and take OUR club back from these crooks..? #wba
@thejonreeve: You are an absolute embarrassment. We, the fans, deserve better. Much better.
@Jay89R: Get the hint Lai, sell us for whatever you can get. Wanker
@jk031176: Your relationship with your fan base is in tatters. The hope that you offered last week is now all but gone. The statement from Ken about the future now seems empty. Shame on all involved. #shambles #laiout
@BenjaminWba: Albions in the mud in the mud, albions in the mud 🎼🎼🎼
How can you not be worried ffs they wouldn’t be this out if they knew everything was ok
— 🏴 (@Nathan1Wba) June 28, 2021
— Lizzie Hayward 💙 (@ehayward93) June 28, 2021
Oh god pic.twitter.com/wST6tSW197
— Ollie Cook (@ollie_cook03) June 28, 2021
Isn’t karma beautiful
— Chris Whelan (@Whelan_C1980) June 28, 2021
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