West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has backed Robert Snodgrass over the recent charge handed to him by the Football Association, which he labelled as ‘strange’.
The Hammers winger was charged by the FA earlier this week for allegedly using abusive language towards UK anti-doping officials at West Ham’s Rush Green training ground on February 6.
The Scotland international has until March 18 to respond to the charge, where if he is found guilty, he could be fined £8,000 and banned for one game.
When asked about Snodgrass’ charge prior to West Ham’s trip to Cardiff City this weekend, Pellegrini admitted he was slightly confused by the situation, but said that he would stand by his player. As reported by Football.London, Pellegrini said:
It was very strange what happened with Robert.
He denies absolutely that he said nothing to the people that came here for the doping test. He must have his answer during the next days but he refused absolutely all charges.
No problem with him in training, no. Of course I believe what he said and I assume the club will do all the necessary things to demonstrate that.
According to information gathered by Football.London, the situation is likely a big understanding, with reports suggesting that anti-doping officials mistook Snodgrass’ jovial behaviour and sense of humour as abusive.
According to the report, Snodgrass was not one of the players being tested by the doping officials, and so he did not refuse to take a test.
