Former Albion defender Bernt Haas believes he has been forced out of England as a result of a month of bad publicity. Baggies boss Bryan Robson agreed to release Haas on Friday shortly after putting him on the transfer list. And the Switzerland international is likely to sign for French club Bastia even though Russian Premier League side Saturn Moscow were also keen to take him. Haas made the decision to quit England earlier in the week when lurid stories about his private life appeared in a national newspaper. That followed reports that Haas had been taken to hospital after drinking too much at the players Christmas party. The latest story about Haas, who was signed by Gary Megson from Sunderland, helped him to decide that he had no future in England. Haass agent, Adrian Bachmann, says the player is disgusted with the treatment he has had in England and wants to play in a country where he is not in the media spotlight. Haass anger was compounded by the fact that his father is seriously ill in Switzerland. The story that was reported this week was a big factor in deciding that Bernt did not want to stay and play in England, said Bachmann. Bernt noted that he made one whole page of a newspaper in England, while nothing was reported by Switzerland even though he plays for the national team. He feels that he would not get this sort of attention anywhere else in the world. And he says a lot of what has been said about him has been unfair. At Christmas, he had food poisoning and did not drink any more than the other players. As for the story that he was taken to hospital wearing a Robin Hood costume as part of a fancy-dress night, thats not true. When Bernt was transfer-listed, he attracted interest from a lot of clubs. People in Europe have not forgotten that he is actually a good player. Albions hopes of signing Juventus defenders Igor Tudor and Nicola Legrottaglie have all but disappeared. The players are understood to be unwilling to get involved in a relegation battle at Baggies. Burnleys Richard Chaplow remains a target even though Albions initial bid was rejected. | 
