Hodgson apologises for Olsson tantrum

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has apologised for Jonas Olsson after the Swede smashed a picture at the Britannia Stadium on Monday.

Olsson reportedly damaged a piece of memorabilia in the tunnel following West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City, after opposition striker Ricardo Fuller declined to shake his hand.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis revealed it was Olsson after the game and branding his actions ‘very disappointing’, with Hodgson consequently apologising on behalf of the Swedish international defender.

“I think one of the players had a bit of a fight with a picture and unfortunately won,” Hodgson said.

“I am pretty certain that a team that plays with so much heart and determination as Stoke will probably forgive us for breaking a picture.”

“We will happily pay for (any damage) but I hope it will not take the gloss off what I think was a very good performance.”

But Pulis was less forgiving: “If you can’t control yourself by not smashing someone else’s property because someone refuses to shake your hand … that is not an excuse,” he said.

“That (the picture) has been paid for by this club and (Olsson) has no right to break things like that.”