Source: Team_Talk
Fulham cleared in 'weak team' probe
The Premier League have cleared Fulham of any wrongdoing after West Ham complained about the team they fielded against Hull on March 27.[LNB] The Hammers lodged an official complaint after Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson rested five key players for the 2-0 defeat at the KC Stadium, which allowed the Tigers to pull level with Gianfranco Zola's relegation-threatened side on 27 points.[LNB]However, a Premier League spokesman said today in a statement: "The Premier League board has obtained the observations of Fulham FC in regard to the complaint made by West Ham United about the team fielded by Fulham in their League fixture against Hull City on the 27th of March.[LNB]"The board is of the view that no breach of rules has occurred in this case."[LNB]Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu all missed the Hull game but returned for the 2-1 win over Wolfsburg five days later, which prompted the West Ham hierarchy to claim that Hodgson broke Premier League rules.[LNB]Hodgson said earlier this week he would be "absolutely amazed" if the Premier League took action against the club in light of his team selection for the 2-1 defeat at Everton last weekend.[LNB]The Fulham boss made nine changes to his line-up, with eight players rested and one enforced through injury, as he instead focused on arguably the most important game in the club's history - last night's Europa League semi-final second leg against Hamburg.[LNB]"After the performance we gave, against a very strong Everton team, I would be absolutely amazed if people have the temerity to discuss our team selection," said Hodgson.[LNB]"We're going into very dangerous ground when the Premier League decides whether teams are strong or not.[LNB]"Hull made six changes to their team (against Sunderland) because they chose to change six players.[LNB]"So I should also be entitled to change players when I want to, especially given the situation we find ourselves in.[LNB]"I am not at all convinced that if the same 11 players who were in Hamburg (in the first leg) had played against Everton we would have given as good an account of ourselves as we did."[LNB]Zola - whose side are now all but sure of Premier League safety - was not aware that the complaint would be lodged, and his verdict on Hodgson's team selection appeared to conflict with the viewpoint expressed by West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan.[LNB]Premier League rules state that all teams must field their strongest side available for all games.[LNB]When asked for his reaction to the complaint being lodged, Zola said: "I didn't know it was happening.[LNB]"As far as I'm concerned a manager can play his best team.[LNB]"I have no doubts that Roy Hodgson is doing the best for his team.[LNB]"He's a person I respect for his loyalty and I have no complaints with that.[LNB]"He decided to do that and I'm sure he has done the right thing for his club.[LNB]"Plus from what I read in the reports Fulham weren't that bad, so I have no problems with that."
