LEGENDARY JAY IS OFF HOOK FOR BONG SLUR

JAY RODRIGUEZ is free to play West Brom’s remaining games after an FA charge of racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong was found “not proven”.

Cameroon international Bong claimed he was “100 per cent certain” Rodriguez (above) said to him: “You’re black, you stink” during Albion’s 2–0 Premier League win at the Hawthorns in January.

Rodriguez, 28, who has one England cap, appeared to pinch his nose after they clashed and Bong complained to referee Martin Atkinson.

In a personal hearing with the FA at Wembley on Wednesday, Rodriguez insisted he had actually said: “Breath f ***** g stinks.”

The FA employed two lip-reading experts but admitted: “Neither could see sufficient to interpret his moving lips because the player’s mouth was obscured.

“After much deliberation we were left in the position where the case distilled to the evidence of each player.

“We could not say that any of the other evidence or competing arguments lead us to prefer one over the other.”

Rodriguez, who faced a minimum five-match ban, will now line up at Manchester United tomorrow for the relegation favourites.

Baggies caretaker boss Darren Moore said: “He could have had a dip in form but such is Jay’s focus to help and remain focused for the job in hand for the team.

“It’s been excellent really and long may that continue.

“His professionalism and focus has been nothing but first class.”

Date of birth Place of birth Height YOUTH CAREER 1986–1997 1997–1999 CLUB CAREER Years 1999–2004 1999 2000 2004–2006 2006– INTERNATIONAL CAREER MAKING GOOD POINTS Carrick has shown leadership qualities that should prove useful in his role as...