Former Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has
threatened legal action against Sky Sports, West Bromwich Albion and Queens
Park Rangers over the circumstances surrounding his failed move to QPR in
January 2013.
According to The Sun, the 45-year-old former Nigeria
international said he intends to consult a lawyer next week over the continued
replaying of footage from the infamous transfer deadline-day incident.
Odemwingie travelled to QPR’s Loftus Road on the final
day of the January transfer window, believing that a move from West Brom had
been agreed. However, the transfer collapsed after the two clubs failed to
reach an agreement over the fee before the 11 p.m. deadline.
In a post on Instagram, Odemwingie said he believes
Sky Sports and officials at both clubs have questions to answer.
“Sky Sports agents and employees of both clubs, West
Brom and QPR, definitely have questions to answer, and I will be seeing a
lawyer next week to make it official,” he wrote.
The former striker also questioned Sky Sports’
continued use of footage from the incident, which became one of the most
memorable moments in Premier League transfer deadline-day history.
“From simply a human side of it @SkySportsFootball,
what is the motive/intention to show this episode on and on for so many years?”
he asked, adding that he considered it a lack of respect.
In an accompanying video, Odemwingie accused the
broadcaster of repeatedly profiting from the episode and argued that the full
circumstances surrounding the incident had not received enough attention.
“The problem about this whole story is that nobody is
interested in the truth. They just want to be distracted. Sky Sports milked
this situation for so many years. I think it’s just wickedness really,” he
said.
Odemwingie also offered his explanation for why he
travelled to Loftus Road, saying his agent at the time, Barry McIntosh, had
assured him that the transfer had been agreed.
“Barry McIntosh told me it was all sorted. His car was
in front of mine and we were driving,” he recalled.
The proposed transfer eventually fell through after
West Brom and QPR failed to agree on a fee before the deadline, leaving
Odemwingie at West Brom for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.
Odemwingie further alleged that his former agent had
links with Sky Sports and questioned the roles played by the broadcaster and
both clubs in the events surrounding the failed transfer. However, those
allegations have not been independently established.
He also criticised QPR over its decision to auction a
shirt that had reportedly been prepared for his expected arrival at the club.
The incident resulted in disciplinary action from West
Brom after Odemwingie was seen outside QPR’s stadium expecting to complete the
move.
He eventually left West Brom for Cardiff City in
September 2013 before joining Stoke City the following year. He later had
spells with Bristol City and Rotherham United before ending his professional
playing career with Indonesian club Madura United in 2017.
Sky Sports, West Bromwich Albion and QPR have been
approached for comment regarding Odemwingie’s latest claims.
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