Source: Telegraph
Premier League receive West Ham complaint against Fulham
Hodgson chose to rest five key players for the 2-0 defeat at the KC Stadium, which allowed Hull to pull level with Gianfranco Zola's relegation threatened side on 27 points. [LNB]Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu all missed the defeat but returned for last night's 2-1 win over Wolfsburg, which prompted the West Ham United hierarchy to claim that Hodgson broke Premier League rules. [LNB]A Premier League spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received an official complaint from West Ham over this matter. [LNB]"We will now ask Fulham for their observations and then the Premier League board will then consider what actions, if any, are appropriate." [LNB]Premier League rules state that all teams must field their strongest side available for all games. [LNB]Should they find Fulham guilty, the Premier League could decide to impose a penalty similar to the £25,000 suspended fine handed to Wolves after Mick McCarthy rested nine of his players for his side's defeat at Manchester United in September.[LNB]Hodgson insisted last night that he had done nothing wrong and was adamant that he would continue his rotation policy for this weekend's match against Wigan. [LNB]"Firstly I don't think West Ham should be picking our team and I think that is a fairly obvious statement," said the 62-year-old. [LNB]"If there is a complaint my conscience is perfectly clear on the subject and as far as I'm concerned we don't have a case to answer. [LNB]"In the last game I selected a team comprising of a defender just sold for £10m (Chris Smalling), a South African international (Kagisho Dikgacoi), who replaced Danny Murphy and I replaced Bobby Zamora with Clint Dempsey, a USA centre forward. [LNB]"I can't understand why, if you have a large squad, it's not allowed for you to change things around. I can't imagine anyone questioning Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea for using all the players in their squad." [LNB]Hodgson has also found support from his peers, with Wigan manager Roberto Martinez describing West Ham's move as "foolish". [LNB]The Spaniard said: "As a manager you always make decisions that can help your team. [LNB]"Roy Hodgson and Fulham have had such a successful season, they know exactly what they have got behind the scenes and know what they need. [LNB]"For anyone to criticise another football club when they are in such outstanding form is very foolish. [LNB]"Roy Hodgson has got to make the decisions to help his team achieve their aims for the season." [LNB]The argument is the latest in a series of squabbles between the two clubs. [LNB]Fulham are suing West Ham for £500,000 - the loss of their league position bonus three seasons ago after Carlos Tevez's goals helped keep the Hammers up and finish a place above Fulham in the Premier League. [LNB]The Premier League fined West Ham £5.5 million for breaking their rules over third party agreements over the deals which brought Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park but chose not to dock the club any points. [LNB][LNB]
