West Ham make complaint over Fulham selection

West Ham have made an official complaint to the Premier League over Fulham manager Roy Hodgson’s decision to field a weakened team against Hull.

Hodgson rested five key players for the 2-0 defeat at the KC Stadium last Saturday, a result which allowed third bottom Hull to pull level with relegation-threatened West Ham on 27 points.

Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu missed the Hull match to rest ahead of Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League quarter-final win over German champions Wolfsburg.

West Ham’s hierarchy claim Hodgson broke the rules and the Premier League confirmed on Friday that the Hammers have made an official protest.

A Premier League spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received an official complaint from West Ham over this matter.

“We will now ask Fulham for their observations and then the Premier League board will then consider what actions, if any, are appropriate.”

Premier League rules state that all teams must field their strongest side available for all games.

Should they find Fulham guilty, the Premier League could decide to impose a penalty similar to the 25,000 pounds (28,000 euros) suspended fine handed to Wolves after Mick McCarthy rested nine of his players for his side’s defeat at Manchester United in September.

Hodgson had responded angrily to questions about the situation after his side’s win over Wolfsburg.

“I don’t think West Ham should be picking our team,” Hodgson said. “My conscience is perfectly clear on the subject and we don’t have a case to answer.

“I can’t imagine anyone ever questioning Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United for using the players they have in their squad.

“I have a good squad and there are lots of players I can use.”