FOOTBALL

HAMMERS IN £30M FIGHT

IT'S NOT OVER YET: The Carlos Tevez controversy looks set to rumble on

Wednesday September 24,2008

By Frank Wiechula

WEST HAM will fight the Sheffield United independent ruling against them every step of the way and new manager Gianfranco Zola will not have to cash in on any of the club’s star names.

There were fears Zola may have to sell key assets such as goalkeeper Robert Green, midfielder Scott Parker and striker Dean Ashton – all England internationals – in the January transfer window to meet the possible massive costs of the landmark ruling.

Relegated Sheffield United are claiming more than £30million in compensation, but West Ham, who insist their summer transfers – they raked in almost £19m for Anton Ferdinand, George McCartney, Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil – had nothing to do with any potential arbitration decisions.

And, as always, they stressed any future sales will also be carefully considered policy based on football and business principles.

Sheffield United had claimed that then Hammers striker Carlos Tevez – now at Manchester United – was not eligible to play at the end of the 2006/7 season, yet was crucial in their escape, at the Blades’ cost. Another tribunal will decide on the level of compensation at a later date.

The Hammers will almost certainly lodge an appeal and take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

West Ham said in a statement: “The club need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult with lawyers before considering the next steps that we might take on this matter.” West Ham were found guilty of breaching Premier League regulations in the signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006.

West Ham were fined £5.5m by a three-man arbitration panel, but were not docked points – and they stayed up with the Blades going down on the final day. After initially failing to get the original punishment overturned, the Blades invoked an FA rule which allows clubs with a legal dispute to go before an independent tribunal.

West Ham’s case for their defence centres on how the tribunal could reach a decision which effectively said one player – Tevez – was responsible for Sheffield United’s relegation when a Premier League season runs for 38 games.

But if they do lose any potential appeal, West Ham would contest the amount of damages, especially any attempt by the Blades to get £30m.