Former Super Eagles winger Peter Osaze Odemwingie has threatened legal action against Sky Sports, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers over continued references to his controversial transfer saga from 2013.
Odemwingie, who is now involved in golf after retiring from professional football, expressed his frustration over the continued use of footage from the infamous deadline-day incident, accusing the broadcaster and the two English clubs of repeatedly mocking him.
The incident occurred on January 31, 2013, when Odemwingie drove from West Brom’s training ground to QPR’s Loftus Road in London in an attempt to complete a move to the club before the January transfer window closed.
The Nigerian believed that an agreement was close and that the proposed transfer depended on another deal involving QPR. However, the clubs did not reach an agreement over the transfer fee, while QPR had not received permission from West Brom to discuss the move directly with the player.
Odemwingie subsequently arrived at Loftus Road, where security prevented him from entering the stadium. He was then interviewed by reporters through his car window while expecting the transfer to go through.
The proposed move eventually collapsed shortly before the 11pm deadline, forcing Odemwingie to return to West Brom.
More than a decade later, the incident continues to attract attention, particularly around Premier League transfer deadline days. Odemwingie has now criticised Sky Sports for repeatedly showing footage of the episode without, in his view, providing the full context surrounding what happened.
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In a video posted on Instagram, Odemwingie said he was considering taking legal action and planned to consult a lawyer.
He also questioned the motive behind the continued references to the incident and accused Sky Sports of profiting from the story for years.
Odemwingie further criticised QPR over a jersey bearing his name that the club had prepared in anticipation of his arrival. According to reports, the shirt was later auctioned, adding to his frustration with the way the episode has continued to be portrayed.
The former Nigeria international said he believed the full truth about the events of that deadline day had not received sufficient attention.
The 2013 episode remains one of the most memorable transfer stories in Premier League history because of Odemwingie’s decision to travel to QPR’s stadium before the clubs had completed an agreement.
Despite the controversy, Odemwingie went on to continue his career in England, later representing Cardiff City, Stoke City, Bristol City and Rotherham United.
He also played for Madura United in Indonesia before announcing his retirement from professional football in April 2019.
At international level, Odemwingie represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups. He featured at the 2010 tournament in South Africa and scored Nigeria’s winning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He was also part of Nigeria’s silver-winning under-23 team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Born in present-day Uzbekistan, Odemwingie began his professional career in Nigeria before spells with clubs in France and Russia. He later established himself in English football, particularly during his time at West Bromwich Albion.
Thirteen years after the controversial transfer episode, Odemwingie’s latest comments indicate that he remains unhappy with the continued public attention surrounding the incident and is now considering legal action against those he believes have contributed to its repeated portrayal.
Sports247
