Four West Brom players were quizzed by cops after allegedly stealing a taxi to get back to their hotel after a night out.
Police were called after the footballers were said to have driven off in the cab from a McDonald’s drive-through and abandoned it outside their luxury five-star Spanish hotel before going up to their bedrooms.
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A West Brom statement said: “The club can confirm that four senior players were involved in an incident during this week’s mid-winter training trip to Spain.
“The club has instigated its own investigation into the incident and the players will be subject to the full rigours of our internal disciplinary procedures.
“Until such time as that investigation has been completed, the club will not be making any further comment.”
The four players – who have not been named – were hauled down to a local police station after being dragged out of bed at The One boutique hotel.
The alleged incident happened just before dawn yesterday. It came after Alan Pardew had taken his struggling side on a three-day warm-weather training visit to Barcelona where they were preparing for tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Southampton.
Regional Mossos d’Esquadra police confirmed the incident today as the players flew home.
A source said: “It appears the players had headed to the Barcelona Olympic Port but found everything closed so late on which is normal for midweek.
“They decided to take a taxi to a McDonald’s drive-through nearby and somehow and for some reason, left there in the cab but without the cab driver.
“The receptionist at the hotel they were staying at phoned police when she saw the taxi had been left unattended outside.
“Around the same time Mossos received a call from the stranded taxi driver.
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“The four players who had got back to their hotel in the cab were taken to a local police station.
“They weren’t formally arrested but they were identified as part of a police investigation into them. The taxi was taken about 5.30am on Thursday and returned to its rightful owner around 8am.”
The Baggies’ hopes of beating the drop were hit again on Monday when they travelled to Stamford Bridge.
Despite a promising start against reigning champions Chelsea, they were thumped 3-0 to leave them stranded at the foot of the table and seven points from safety.