Schemmel fined for Sky outburst

Out of favour full-back Sebastien Schemmel has been fined two weeks wages by the club for his outburst on Sky Sports last week.

Schemmel has been docked a fortnight's wages after criticising the club in a TV interview which took place at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground.

In the interview he blasted the club for forcing him out of the first team picture, whilst revealing that both Freddie Kanoute and Joe Cole were about to be sold. Kanoute's move to Tottenham was confirmed today.

"I'm here to play and if I carry on not getting a game it's going to make me angry," blasted the French defender. "It's six months since I played for West Ham. Glenn Roeder insists on playing me in the reserves, he doesn't take me on away trips. It's like they're trying to kill me.

"I thought English football was more intelligent than that, I thought Glenn Roeder was more intelligent than that - two years ago I was voted player of the year by the supporters, now I can't get a game.

"Freddie Kanoute will leave, Joe Cole will leave - and I will leave," he added. "The club don't want the supporters to know but they are trying to sell their best players."

Schemmel's outburst brought an angry response from manager Glenn Roeder, who said:

"Sebastien Schemmel's comments don't surprise me but they disappoint me. They are the words you would expect from a player that becomes unhappy at a club; you have to be big enough and have broad enough shoulders to be able to handle it.

"I wouldn't be the first manager to be criticised by a player that is not in favour, because that is basically the real gripe. He has said it, it doesn't surprise me knowing the lad - but it disappoints me he has chosen to go down that route.

"Sebastien Schemmel is not high on my list of priorities. What is important is getting the squad focused and motivated for the new season."

Since Schemmel's outburst rumours that he had been sacked by the club had emerged, although they were clearly wide of the mark.

However it has since been suggested that the squad have been asked to take varying ranges pay cuts to wages and bonuses, in an attempt by the club to stave off administration - a very real possibility still it would seem, despite the high-profile sales of first team players Glen Johnson, Trevor Sinclair and Frederic Kanoute.

If that were to be proved correct Schemmel's outburst may well be a little easier to understand.