West Brom quartet apologises for Barcelona taxi theft

West Bromwich Albion first-team players Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore, and Boaz Myhill have apologised for an incident that occurred early Thursday morning while in Barcelona for a mid-winter training trip.

The Baggies released a statement Friday following a pledge to investigate what several British outlets have reported as theft of a taxi in the Catalan capital.

Related: West Brom launches investigation amid reports players stole taxi in Barcelona

According to Catalan regional police force Mossos d'Esquadra, the four players took a taxi to a fast-food restaurant before returning to their hotel in the car sans driver. Police were alerted, and the driver was reunited with his vehicle at approximately 8:00 a.m. Barcelona time.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our team-mates, the Head Coach, the Club and especially the supporters for the events which have been the subject of widespread and negative publicity," the statement read.

"We freely acknowledge and apologise for the break of curfew which we accept represented a breach of the standards of professionalism required of us as representatives of West Bromwich Albion FC."

The Baggies will now conduct their own inquiry into the matter, with the club set to host Southampton in the FA Cup Saturday at the Hawthorns.