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West Bromwich Albion have released an official statement after an incident during their training camp in Spain.

A report in The Sun alleges that a taxi was stolen from a McDonald's drive-thru and left abandoned outside the luxury five-star hotel they were staying in.

The report claims that police 'hauled the players from their beds' at the one boutique hotel and took the unnamed stars to the local police station.

According to a source in the story: "They decided to take a taxi to a McDonald’s drive-through nearby and somehow and for some reason, left there in the cab but without the cab driver.

“The receptionist at the hotel they were staying at phoned police when she saw the taxi had been left unattended outside.

“Around the same time Mossos (Regional Mossos d'Esquadra polic - Spanish police) received a call from the stranded taxi driver.

“The four players who had got back to their hotel in the cab were taken to a local police station.

“They weren’t formally arrested but they were identified as part of a police investigation into them. The taxi was taken about 5.30am on Thursday and returned to its rightful owner around 8am.”

Here's what Albion say

Albion have issued this statement:

"The club can confirm that four senior players were involved in an incident during this week's mid-winter training trip to Spain.

"The club has instigated its own investigation into the incident and the players will be subject to the full rigours of our internal disciplinary procedures.

"Until such time as that investigation has been completed, the club will not be making any further comment."

Albion take on Southampton in the FA Cup tomorrow at 3pm.

More Albion news

West Brom take on Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup this Saturday - a welcome distraction, it could be said, when you consider the troubles the club are experiencing on the league front.

The victory over Liverpool in the last round offered Albion supporters some timely solace after a horrid run of games stretching back to August.

It was hoped that, coupled with the win over Brighton, would be the catalyst for the Baggies’ Premier League survival - weekend opponents Saints put paid to that idea when they were the party poopers on Regis Day a couple of weeks ago.

With the club now seven points adrift of safety, it’s an uphill task for the squad - in Barcelona on a warm-weather training camp this week - now to overcome the gap and retain their top flight status.

Would Albion supporters, then, for the sake of argument, entertain the idea of sacrificing their league battle for the first significant silverware since 1968?

CUP v LEAGUE - The pros

European tour

Albion haven’t been in Europe - barring pre-season - since 1981-82 when they took part in the UEFA Cup with Arsenal, Ipswich and Southampton.

Lifting the FA Cup would guarantee a venture into the Europa League for the 2018-19 season.

It’d be something that an entire generation of Albion fans are yet to experience, and with the top six in the top flight almost ring-fenced off, the cup format is the way to go for a club like Albion.

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Silverware

The Championship trophy in 2008 was great.

But an FA Cup - potentially Albion’s sixth in their history - would be a whole new level.

It’d be the first since ‘68 that the club could boast of some major silverware, and much like a European campaign it’d be a new experience for the younger supporters of the fanbase.

Bragging rights

Who wouldn’t want these?

Bar Blues’ League Cup success in 2011, this region has had precious little to shout about in the last 20 years.

Bragging rights are normally reserved for derby day, but an FA Cup would be something that the club could boast about for the foreseeable future.

Day(s) out at Wembley

Albion haven’t had any luck in recent outings to the home of football.

Derby was a killer, Portsmouth a real kick in the teeth and even when visiting Spurs in November Albion came away perhaps thinking it was two points dropped.

They’re long overdue a bit of luck on the hallowed turf, and as is the way these days an FA Cup win means TWO days out at Wembley.

CUP v LEAGUE - The cons

Relegation

Selecting the cup over the league means the obvious - relegation to the Championship.

Albion have enjoyed being at the top end of the second tier in their last six seasons in that particular division, though there are no guarantees they’d be fighting for an immediate return.

You only have to look at their Midlands neighbours in recent seasons, and even Hull and Sunderland more recently.

Loss of money

Another that speaks for itself.

There’s simply less revenue when you’re not in the land of milk and honey.

Less money on wages and transfer fees because of less incoming from TV rights and gate receipts.

Therein lies a problem of holding onto the club’s better players.

Blues/Wigan aftermath

Neither side have returned since their trophy wins, and Wigan have even slipped into League One on a couple of occasions.

Is lifting a cup worth it for the years that might follow?

Let’s hear it....

BirminghamLive writer and Birmingham City fan Shane Ireland was asked his view on whether securing the Carling Cup against Arsenal in 2011 was worth the drop that followed.

Blues have dragged themselves to survival on a couple of occasions - normally in very dramatic circumstances - and are yet to show any signs of returning to the top flight...

“Being a football supporter is all about memorable moments.

“The seasons pass by, and game after game with them, but certain matches stick out in the memory.

“Looking back on those days will always produce a smile and you’ll never get bored of talking about them.

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“Birmingham City’s 2011 Carling Cup win at Wembley was one of those - an incredible victory and silverware that can never be taken away.

“Only a few months later, Blues were a Championship club having suffered relegation. And it’s been a mightily difficult seven years for the club the since.

“But football brings highs and lows - or more accurately joys and sorrows in this case - and Blues’ fortunes will turn around and things will get better.

“That day at Wembley can never be taken away no matter what happens.”

For the sake of argument

Ahead of this Saturday’s tie, then, what are your views on the league v cup debate?