‘West Brom could exploit summer loophole after FA suspension’ – Ex-FIFA official
Ryan Mason will be busy working behind the scenes to plan West Brom’s summer.
The Baggies haven’t signed any new players since the 33-year-old joined as their new head coach but rumours have started to emerge and a couple of pre-season friendlies have been announced.
West Brom have two matches lined up as it stands with trips to League One sides Blackpool and Lincoln City confirmed in the diary for next month.
Albion face Steve Bruce’s Blackpool on 19 July before taking on the Imps a week later on 26 July.
Jayson Molumby banned after West Brom v Mallorca incident
West Brom are currently set to be without Jayson Molumby for those matches because the Ireland midfielder was banned for five friendly matches by The FA last year.
Molumby, 25, was fined £16,000 for striking Mallorca’s Samu Costa on 27 July last year.
The hot-headed midfielder is now set to miss a lot of pre-season action for the Baggies.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | |
| Championship | 37 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carabao Cup | 0 | – | – | – | – |
However, Keith Hackett believes that there’s a loophole that West Brom can exploit to ensure Molumby doesn’t miss the bulk of preparations for next season.
The former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee doesn’t see any reason why the Baggies cannot just schedule more friendly matches so that Molumby’s ban is served as quickly as possible.
“It is a possibility that this might be a loophole available to the club,” Hackett told West Brom News.
“When clubs make arrangements to play friendlies at home and overseas, they have to register these games with The Football Association.
“It will be interesting if the club takes this approach.
“I am not aware of any regulation that precludes friendly games from counting towards the ban.”
Molumby has to work on discipline
Since joining from Brighton, Molumby is a fairly popular player among West Brom fans due to his work-rate, ability to rile up opponents and his aggression.
However, some of those characteristics sometimes get the better of him and he is known to cross a line with winding up players, arguing with referees or acting violently.
He can still be in your face, full-throttle and an absolute nuisance without the idiocy.
Hopefully Mason can work on that with him this summer.