Robert Snodgrass has requested a personal hearing after deciding to fight  a charge of abusing anti-doping officials.

Reports that he swore at officials when they arrived at Rush Green on a routine testing duty have emerged but our understanding is that the Scottish midfielder was “jossing” with them and never expected to be taken seriously.

The player has a big reputation for being one of the game’s nice guys and is surprised the affair has reached this stage.

And it can be assumed he wants the opportunity of a personal hearing in order to explain precisely what took place as he bids to clear his name and and avoid a possible on match ban and £8,000 fine if found guilty on the FA charges.

The FA’s doping officials make un-arranged visits on various clubs at any time which on this occasion resulted in the player allegedly making a “jokey ” inquiry as to what they were doing at the club.

It has become widely accepted that Snodgrass was not scheduled to be tested, nor did he refuse to take a test.

Reporting Snodgrass’ position the BBC explains: “When announcing the charge earlier this month, the Football Association said: “Robert Snodgrass has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3(1).

“It is alleged the player used abusive and/or insulting words towards UK anti-doping officials who were visiting West Ham United’s training ground on 6 February 2019 to conduct out-of-competition testing.”