Pards key to J-Rod bid
EX-WEST Brom boss Alan Pardew will be a witness for Jay Rodriguez in his FA racism case.
Pardew was sacked last week after winning just one of his 18 Premier League games in charge.
But he will give evidence in defence of his former striker when he faces an independent panel at Wembley today.
Rodriguez is charged with racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong in a league game at The Hawthorns on January 13.
And Pardew (right) will be a key witness for the 28-year-old, who strenuously denies the allegation.
Pardew will be a character witness and could also testify about Rodriguez’s immediate reaction to the accusation by the Cameroon defender. Pardew was
Baggies boss at the time. It is believed no other players or officials heard the words exchanged between the players in the second half of West Brom’s 2-0 win.
Rodriguez faces a minimum five-match ban if found guilty of using racist words by a threestrong panel appointed by the FA to rule on the case.
He was charged in February after the FA collected statements from Rodriguez, Bong, referee Martin Atkinson and other players involved in the match. Albion and Rodriguez were shocked by the charge because of the lack of supporting evidence for Bong’s claim, which will be decided on the balance of probability.
Rodriguez said on Twitter at the time of the charge: “Absolutely gutted and in disbelief at the situation I find myself in.
“I 100% deny the false allegation and will take the correct legal advice to prove my innocence.”
An FA statement read: “It is alleged he used abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.”
Bong tweeted: “Rodriguez words are unforgivable for the man I am!!”