Former Super Eagles striker Peter Osaze Odemwingie has threatened legal action against Sky Sports, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers (QPR) over the circumstances surrounding his failed transfer to QPR in January 2013.
Odemwingie, 45, said he would consult a lawyer over the continued replaying of footage from the transfer deadline-day incident, according to The Sun.
The former Nigeria international travelled to QPR’s Loftus Road on the assumption that his move from West Brom had been agreed.
“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,” Odemwingie wrote on Instagram.
He also questioned Sky Sports’ continued use of footage of the incident, which became one of the most widely remembered episodes of a Premier League transfer deadline day.
Odemwingie said the continued replay of the incident showed a lack of respect for him.
“From simply a human side of it @SkySportsFootball, what is the motive/intention to show this episode on and on for so many years? The least will be lack or absence of respect in my opinion,” he wrote.
In an accompanying video, Odemwingie accused the broadcaster of repeatedly exploiting the incident.
“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 explained that he travelled to Loftus Road after his agent at the time, Barry McIntosh, told him that the transfer had been arranged.
“Barry McIntosh told me it was all sorted. His car was in front of mine and we were driving,” he said.
The proposed transfer eventually collapsed after West Brom and QPR failed to agree a transfer fee before the 11 p.m. deadline.
The failure of the move left Odemwingie at West Brom for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.
He also alleged that McIntosh had links with Sky Sports and questioned the roles played by the broadcaster and the two clubs in the events surrounding the proposed transfer.
The allegations have not been independently established.
Odemwingie further criticised QPR over its decision to auction a shirt that had been prepared for his anticipated arrival at the club.
He faced disciplinary action from West Brom following the incident after appearing outside QPR’s ground expecting the transfer to be completed.
Odemwingie eventually left West Brom for Cardiff City in September 2013 before joining Stoke City the following year.
He later played for Bristol City and Rotherham before ending his professional playing career with Indonesian club Madura United in 2017.
Sky Sports, West Brom and QPR have been approached for comment on Odemwingie’s latest claims.
