Albion bosses have said there is “no evidence” to link this month’s changing room incident - dubbed poogate - to a member of staff.

In an update on the club website, chief executive Paul Barber added that the incident could have been an accident rather than a “deliberate act of vandalism”.

He said: “We have concluded our investigation in to the incident in the visitors' dressing room ahead of the play-off match with Crystal Palace.

“This issue generated very negative press coverage, inconvenience to our visitors for which we have apologised, as well as speculation and rumour, much of it exaggerated or untrue.

“To be clear, the incident was confined to the floor and to the paper dispenser area of one cubicle in the visitors' dressing room toilets. No messages were scrawled on the floor or anywhere else.

“And it remains a slight possibility that this was not a deliberate act of vandalism as attempts had been made to clean up the area before the issue was brought to our attention.

“Numerous club employees and contractors need access to the tunnel area of our stadium to do their jobs.

“There is no evidence that a member of the club's staff was responsible. Equally, we cannot be sure who was.

“Unfortunately, we are very unlikely to know exactly what happened, but access and security to the tunnel area have been reviewed and some changes will be implemented next season. It is now time to move on.”

The statement also addresses the ongoing investigation into manager Gus Poyet, assistant Mauricio Taricco, and coach Charlie Oatway.

Mr Barber describes “ill-informed and unfounded speculation” on the matter “unfair and unhelpful to everyone concerned”, adding that the process will take as long as necessary.

He also confirms the team’s pre-season training camp in Spain and plans to play a home friendly at the Amex on the weekend of July 27.

Read Paul Barber's full statement.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Argus.