Super Eagles icon Odemwingie threatens to sue British broadcaster, former club over QPR scandal

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie has threatened legal action against Sky Sports, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers over the infamous deadline-day transfer saga that has followed him for more than a decade.

The Nigerian believes the full story behind his failed 2013 move to QPR has never been properly told and is now preparing to speak to a lawyer.

Odemwingie became one of the central figures in deadline-day folklore in January 2013 after being filmed speaking to reporters through his car window outside QPR’s Loftus Road stadium.

The striker believed his transfer from West Brom had been completed, only for the move to collapse when the two clubs failed to agree a fee before the 11pm deadline. He subsequently returned to West Brom and was disciplined by the club, with chairman Jeremy Peace describing his behaviour as “wholly unprofessional”.

More than 13 years later, footage of the incident resurfaced on Sky Sports News, prompting Odemwingie to launch a furious response.

“Sky Sports agents and employees of both clubs - West Brom and QPR - definitely have questions to answer and I will be seeing a lawyer next week to make it official,” he wrote on Instagram.

He also accused Sky Sports of repeatedly exploiting the story, adding, “The problem about this whole story is that nobody is interested in the truth,” he said. “They just want to be distracted. Sky Sports milked this situation for so many years. I think it's just wickedness really.”

Odemwingie claims the transfer negotiations became complicated by Junior Hoilett’s involvement in a potential swap deal, with discussions continuing between the clubs throughout the day.

According to the former Nigeria international, his agent Barry McIntosh eventually told him the deal had been resolved, leading him to follow the agent’s car to QPR.

“Barry McIntosh told me it was all sorted,” Odemwingie said.

He alleges that Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth was also involved in efforts surrounding the proposed transfer, while criticising the broadcaster and former presenter Natalie Sawyer for their coverage of the saga.

QPR later auctioned the never-used shirt prepared for Odemwingie’s arrival, adding another bizarre chapter to a transfer story that has refused to disappear.

Now, Odemwingie wants the opportunity to tell his side of events, and appears ready to take the matter beyond social media.