30/04/2007 09:00
After firing the Hammers into a 2-0 lead against Wigan Athletic on Saturday,
Yossi Benayoun admitted the atmosphere generated by the travelling army of
West Ham United fans made all the difference. "It felt like home at Wigan,"
he said. "All through the game all I could hear was the supporters singing.
They really deserved the win, they've had a lot of difficult times this year
and I think they just want to see commitment from everyone. "That is what we
have shown in the last few games. We have the commitment, we want to win
every game and we're doing everything we can to stay up. Hopefully it will
be enough. "We have a chance. If we beat Bolton we will have a really good
chance to stay up and we will have to do it. The West Ham supporters are
wonderful; they deserve a team in the Premiership. We know they will support
us on Saturday and hopefully cheer us to victory."
Yossi was pleased to be back on the score sheet after his second-half finish
in the 3-0 victory at the JJB Stadium, but insisted the points were
imperative. "We created a lot of good chances when we moved the ball up the
field," he said. "For my goal, Bobby gave me the ball for a one on one and
I'm glad the ball went in - finally! It's been a long time, but the most
important thing is the win and the three points. "It was a big game with a
lot of pressure but we came at them from the first minute. We worked hard
and everyone saw that we were the better team from the start and we
completely deserved the win. "The celebrations are over and we have to think
about Bolton now. If we don't beat Bolton it's like we didn't do anything
against Wigan. They need the points also but we need to win and I believe we
can do it."
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Collins reflects on Wigan win - WHUFC
30/04/2007 14:01
James Collins was at the heart of the Hammers defence during Saturday's 3-0
win against Wigan Athletic and threw himself in front of everything to help
keep a clean sheet. "It was tough, but we knew it was going to be a battle,"
he said. "It's always tough coming up to Wigan but we were concentrating on
getting a clean sheet. We did everything we could to keep a clean sheet and
that's what we achieved. "We went to Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago
and didn't perform. We were determined to go up to Wigan and show how good
we are away from home. We performed well, scored goals and kept a clean
sheet, which is a bonus."
But James insists all eyes are on this Saturday's crucial game against
Bolton. "All the boys have forgotten about it already and are concentrating
on Saturday," he said. "If we'd lost to Wigan it would have been dire
straits but we won and can now look forward to Saturday with it in our own
hands. It makes it exciting for everyone involved. "We've been on fire at
home for the last month or so and the fans have given us a massive boost.
Hopefully we can put on a good performance for them on Saturday and win for
them. "We decided to pay for their coach travel to Wigan, a lot of fans
travelled to Sheffield United but we didn't turn up that day and they didn't
have anything to cheer about. They were unbelievable as always on Saturday
and I'm just glad that we put on a performance and gave them something to
shout about."
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Give us the horn - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 30th April 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Supporters are calling for the Post Horn Gallop to be played ahead of this
weekend's home fixture with Bolton. The Hammers used to be led out to the
well-known huntsman's refrain by the Leyton Borough Silver Band on a weekly
basis back in the 1960s and 1970s - but it's use died out over the years.
However Alan Pardew resurrected it for the the play-off semi-final over
Ipswich three years ago - a game which United went on to win 2-0. Now
supporters on KUMB's forum are calling for the Post Horn Gallop to be
introduced one more time as the Hammers seek to win their final home match
of the season over the Trotters - a win that could secure Premiership
football at the Boleyn Ground next season. "It always makes the hairs on my
neck stand up," said one poster. "Not that I think we'll need any incentive
to lift the atmosphere, but it feels like that link with our history summons
up the ghosts and echoes of our past."
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Good end to a difficult week - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 30th April 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
United Chairman Eggert Magnusson has revelaed how the 3-0 win at Wigan
softened the blow of last Friday's world record £5.5m Premier League fine.
The diminutive Icelander - who was mobbed after the game by delighted
Hammers fans - celebrated with the supporters after a fifth win in seven
games gave Alan Curbishley's side a real chance of Premiership survival.
With Fulham losing at Arsenal yesterday, the Hammers now know that win both
of their remaining games and they are safe - regardless of other results.
And the popular new Chairman - who refused to admit defeat even when United
were TEN points adrift at the bottom - says people are finally starting to
believe the greatest of escapes can be achieved. "It has been a difficult
week — and a very expensive one," Magnusson told The Sun. "But this win
makes the pain a lot easier to bear. "I have never given up hope that we
would survive and now it is more than hope. People are starting to believe,
especially the players and the fans. And me, of course. "I'm just pleased to
see the team playing such excellent football. They look full of confidence,
which is very encouraging. "Now we are right there as far as passion is
concerned. Alan Curbishley has built up the team week by week and there is a
great spirit at the club. "There is a real feeling that we are all fighting
for each other."
* Yesterday's 3-1 defeat for Fulham capped an excellent weeknd results-wise
for the Hammers; fellow relegation rivals Charlton were thumped 4-1 at
Blackburn leaving them two points behind the Hammers with just Liverpool and
Spurs to play. The only sour note was Sheffield United scraping a 1-0 win
over condemned Watford, giving them 38 points and virtually assuring them
Premiership football next year.
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Hammers eye Racing pair - Sky
By Francisco Acedo - Created on 30 Apr 2007
West Ham have joined the race to sign Racing Santander's highly-rated duo
Ruben Gonzalez and Ezequiel Garay. The duo have both played a major role in
Racing's success this season as they currently sit eighth in La Liga. The
Hammers dispatched a scout to El Sardinero at the weekend to watch Racing's
clash with Deportivo La Coruna and Spanish sources say Garay (pictured) and
Ruben were the reason behind the visit. West Ham are currently embroiled in
a relegation battle, but should they avoid the drop - they obviously do not
want to be caught unprepared and are looking at potential Premiership
signings - though they are not the first English side to have taken a keen
interest in the duo. Manchester United, Tottenham, Everton and Bolton have
all watched the pair in recent months. A Racing spokesman told skysports.com
that they were aware of a number of Premiership sides looking at their
prized duo. "It is certain that many scouts from the Premier League have
been watching our games this year," he said. "But as of today we have not
received any offer for the players." Both Ruben and Garay, who have
long-term deals at the club, have told the Spanish press they are 'aware' of
the rumours but have not spoken with the club about them.
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Wigan boss Jewell vents spleen over Hammers ruling - Soccernet
Wigan manager Paul Jewell believes the Premier League would have enforced a
points penalty on West Ham over the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
transfer affair if they had been 'marooned like Watford' at the bottom of
the league. The Hammers moved level on points with Wigan by beating the
Latics 3-0 at the JJB Stadium on Saturday and could yet leapfrog Jewell's
side and stay in the top flight. Jewell claims the League 'bottled it' when
an independent commission fined West Ham £5.5million over the breach of
transfer rules in regard to the two Argentinians rather than deducting
points which would have almost certainly condemned them to relegation. He
told The Sun: 'If West Ham had been marooned like Watford are they would
have been deducted points, as the Premier League could have done it without
causing a fuss. 'They bottled it and they know they did. We know the Premier
League were desperate for us to beat West Ham to right the injustice -
because an insider told one of our men that. 'I'm convinced they decided not
to take points off West Ham because if they had, they might have had to look
at one or two other London clubs higher up the league.'
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Warnock warns Sheff Utd against complacency - Soccernet
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has warned his players they cannot
afford to relax until Premiership safety is secured. A tight 1-0 victory
over Watford at Bramall Lane - courtesy of Michael Tonge's 44th-minute
strike which was deflected by Chris Powell's shoulder past goalkeeper Ben
Foster - lifted the Blades into 15th place in the league. However, West
Ham's victory at Wigan means the gap between United and the relegation zone
is just three points with two matches to go and so even their tally of 38
has not yet guaranteed survival. The joy shown by the players on the final
whistle at Bramall Lane was more a release of tension than a celebration.
But if they were in any doubt about what is still required from them they
were firmly reminded within minutes of returning to the dressing room. 'It
is down to us. I sat the lads down after the celebrations and reminded them
we have two tough games,' said Warnock, referring to next week's trip to
Aston Villa, which is followed by the visit of fellow strugglers Wigan in
what could be a real nerve-jangling affair.
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Did the punishment fit the crime? - WHO
Billy Blagg - Mon Apr 30 2007
I must admit that my thoughts don't readily turn to light Operetta when I'm
thinking about football – or indeed when I'm thinking about anything else
really - but a line from Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado' sprung to mind
when I heard about the FA's £5.5m fine for misdemeanours arising from the
signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
My object all-sublime,
I shall achieve in time,
To make the punishment fit the crime, the punishment fit the crime!
There are two things to consider here. Firstly, when was the last time you
saw Gilbert and Sullivan mentioned on WHO or indeed any football site? And,
more importantly, casting aside any West Ham bias, has the punishment fit
the crime here? In truth, the answer is probably NO but, behind the decision
for the massive fine, is a wisdom that Solomon might even have been proud
of.
Because, lest we forget, the perpetrators of the 'crime' have left the
scene, fled the country and currently enjoying the fruits of their
misdemeanours by investing in stocks, bonds and the odd holiday home or
three. If the 'right' punishment had been given out then the innocent –
that's you and me, lads – would have suffered the most.
It was Terence Brown who came back to haunt us with the latest kick up the
backside this season - like a pantomime villain we just knew he'd come back
again, didn't we? – But neither new the Chairman, Manager, Players nor, most
important of all, the supporters, would have deserved the cruelty of a
points deduction. It's Ok saying the "club" did something wrong but the club
is little more than a reflection of the people who own it and run it and,
with Brown and his cronies packed off at last, it would have just been
unfair to punish the innocent with a points deduction that would have
relegated us.
Wigan and others can bleat on all they like (and they will) but this was the
right decision and I applaud the FA for being bold enough to realise it.
Some commentators have asked just what clout the FA have if they can allow
the Hammers off with what seems to be such a flagrant breach of the rules
and the answer is 'probably not a lot' but that shouldn't detract from the
fact of the matter.
In a sport where players, managers, chairman and board often move on, the
only perennial is the supporters so, just for the record, I don't agree with
points deductions for any breach of rules if the people who made the
decisions and broke the regulations are no longer at the club. Hand out
fines, censure the club's owners, jail them if necessary, but let the end of
season league positions be decided by what happens on the field. Not what
happens in an FA Office.
What is ironic about this whole episode though is that once again, West Ham
United has become a parody of itself. When reporters talk glibly of dodgy
market traders and Cockney wide boys in an EastEnders soap script that would
have been rejected as too far fetched, most of us roll our eyes and look for
the nearest exit. But, this time we realise that perhaps the Argentineans
really did arrive in Terry's brothers van with a tarpaulin thrown over them,
the odd pony or two was given out, papers were lost and lies told. Probably,
Ian Beale popped in during negotiations bringing in a fish supper. It seemed
too good at the time and now we know it probably was.
But there is one last throw of the dice and this one is even making me sit
up and take notice. There's been a change round these parts since Eggert
Magnusson arrived and, suddenly, we're starting to see the changes. The FA's
decision was the type of thing that has steadfastly gone against us in the
past but there was more the Lancastrian or North / West London air about
last weeks' developments. The 3-0 win over Wigan the following day only
emphasised the change.
With the newly signed Carlos Tevez back in the ranks – does that mean we own
him now, anyone? – Could Eggy really pull a massive rabbit from the hat? I
mean, surely things haven't turned that much that the little Argentine
maestro will pop up to score the winner against Manchester United or Bolton?
Years of fading dreams convince me that we will get our due punishment
eventually via the end-of-season league table but the gleaming dome of Eggy
is starting to make me think there may be another ending.
Now, you lot get the buckets out and all round to Uncle Terry's for a
generous contribution!
A genuine incident occurring in a Turkish hotel last week proving that our
plight is known all over Europe.
Sporting the shirt, I got into the lift to go down to dinner, as the doors
opened I gesticulated to the man inside and said "Going down?" "Jah, mein
friend" replied the overweight German traveller "Just like your football
team, yes?"
Sometimes, the strain does get to me…
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West Ham United - One Year On - WHO
Frankie - Mon Apr 30 2007
Well folks another season draws to a close and the Carry On film that is our
beloved West Ham again fails to disapoint.
Cast your mind back to this time last year...John Lyall dead, floods of
tributes an epic FA Cup semi final victory on the same ground that I'd shed
a tear on vs Forest.
We were gearing up for the final, the clamour for tickets, the travel
arrangments, the getting down there, the getting back, the friends coming
out of the wood work wanting tickets, the beers, the cheers...playof final
was great but this was for my West Ham life the Holy Grail.....The FA Cup
final.
Before that of course was Spurs at home, their season had been coasting
towards a Champions league spot only for a dodgy microwave meal and a Carl
Fletcher goal to realy fuck their season up.
The laughter, the singing and all to play for the following week.
We all know about the game itself, we drew the game against the European
Champions but lost the lottery.
Walking away from Cardiff that day I thought to myself, Yes finaly a manager
that could emulate Lyall, a young squad that would be fresh for the
following season, Uncle Terry had started to trust Pardew with a few quid
and a full house guaranteed for the 1st home game of the season V Charlton.
So where did it all go wrong?
In between taking a young squad from the also rans cup final one year to the
FA Cup final in one season Alan Pardew lost the dressing room....Players
that I thought would be sold in the Summer like Ferdinand, Reo-Coker,
Etherington, Beneyoun & Harwood turned into absolute shite.
Major injuries to Ashton and Gabbs buggering the steam of the side.
Then the takeover talks, letter's flying through the letter box from Uncle
Terry like never before, it get's to transfer deadline day....which is a day
that West Ham rarley make the headlines but not this time.
As a Spurs supporter was round at my desk crowing about Chimbonda when it
appeared on BBC news that we had signed the god like Javier Macherano and
Carlitos Tevez, the dreams of Champions league floated through my head.
THEN losing in the league, out of Europe, out of two Cups...the Argies fail
to settle...stories of Pardew and players wives, stories of dressing room
unrest due to drinking and gambling.
Eggy's take over, boots Pardew and puts in Curbishly....despite beating Man
U our football goes from bad to worse. Millions spunked on crocked defenders
and Nigel Quashie is preferred to Macherano...ONLY AT WEST HAM.
Tevez finaly scores and it kick starts the revival and after all the fines,
after all the rumours and after all the heart ache that hasn't stopped since
the FA Cup final we find ourselves one of the richest clubs in the world and
by hook or by crook with one of the best players in the world needing 3
points from our last two games or we'll have to start all over again.
It's a shame a team dosne't get points for it's supporters as we'd have been
Champions by Christmas.
Hold tight folks the West Ham roller coaster is off again this Saturday!
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Collins: Hammers love Carlito's way - TeamTalk
West Ham defender James Collins feels Carlos Tevez has turned his season
around after becoming one of the boys in the dressing room. Tevez was again
inspirational for the Hammers in Saturday's vital 3-0 win at Wigan , with
only goal difference now separating the club from safety. The Argentinian
has certainly been one of the driving forces in recent weeks as manager Alan
Curbishley's side have won five of their last seven matches to close in on
their great escape. Wales centre-back Collins feels that is because Tevez,
who moved to Upton Park last summer along with Javier Mascherano, now at
Liverpool, is able to join in the fun with his team-mates. "Neither spoke a
word of English so it was always going to be tough for them when they
arrived," Collins said. "But Carlos is right up there with the banter in the
changing room now. "Thankfully for us he has come good at the right time and
he is now playing out of his skin.
"He is a class act, and proving it week in week out on the pitch, but then
whoever he plays for, he is going to shine. "Hopefully he can continue to do
so for us in our last two games."
Collins admitted there was relief last Friday when the club were not docked
points by an independent panel assessing the transfer irregularities
surrounding the signings of Tevez and Mascherano. Although the club were
fined a record £5.5million, they at least received clearance from the
Premier League for Tevez to play in the final three matches of the season.
"It had been a bit of of a cloud hanging over our heads, which we hadn't
thought about too much, but it has now lifted," added Collins. "We had just
been concentrating on getting as many points as we could, which is what
we've done. "Obviously, the fine is a big blow for the club but we're still
in with a chance of staying in the Premiership, which is the main thing."
Curbishley's side are at home to a Bolton team under new management in Sammy
Lee on Saturday, and then at Manchester United on the final day, and
momentum is with the Hammers.
Collins is convinced the club will survive, adding: "The result against
Wigan was massive. "But we have to forget about that and look to Saturday,
which is an even bigger game. "All we can do is perform like we did against
Wigan and then see where we are at the end of it, but we really feel we are
going to get out of this now. "The belief has always been there. No-one at
this club has ever said we're down. We've always had the belief we will stay
up. "That has showed in our attitude, passion and team spirit on the pitch,
and now we're in with a massive chance. "We know we have done superbly
recently, but we also know it will be worthless if we don't put in a
performance on Saturday and get a win."
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Hammers in Tevez fear - The Sun
By SHAUN CUSTIS
May 01, 2007
WEST HAM could be without Carlos Tevez for their last two crunch relegation
clashes. SunSport can reveal the Hammers have not reached an agreement with
Tevez's owners, MSI, over his employment. And, if they fail to come to an
arrangement, MSI will not allow the Argentine star to play in Saturday's
home game with Bolton or the final day of the season visit to Manchester
United. The Premier League have told Tevez he can continue playing for West
Ham despite fining the club £5.5million for failing to disclose information
about the signing of the player. However the star — who has inspired the
Hammers' hopes of beating the drop — remains the property of MSI and its
owner Kia Joorabchian, who lost out in a bid to buy the Premiership
strugglers. SunSport understands tycoon Joorabchian is concerned over a
number of legal problems after the new paperwork was sent by West Ham to the
Premier League enabling Tevez to play in the 3-0 win at Wigan on Saturday.
MSI are also worried at how they now stand with the Premier League regarding
the ownership of Tevez and whether they recognise the company.
A source close to Joorabchian insisted that "lots of issues had to be
resolved." He said: "Kia has a strong affection for West Ham and wants them
to stay up and for Carlos to play his part in that. "However, if the club do
not sit down with MSI and sort things out then Carlos will not be able to
play for West Ham."
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COLLINS' ESCAPE TO VICTORY - The Mirror
01/05/2007
JAMES COLLINS admits West Ham's points deduction let-off has made them even
more determined to beat the drop. The Hammers were hit with a record
£5.5million fine on Friday, following the illegal deals which saw Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano arrive at Upton Park earlier in the season. But
the club had been fearing worse punishment, and, after being let off the
hook, Collins believes that safety is now back in their own hands. West Ham
are still in the relegation zone but are on equal points with Wigan, and
behind Fulham by just one point. Collins said: "It was hanging over our
heads for all the time we have been down there, so to have it cleared up and
have no points deduction is a big boost. "Now we have to worry about
keeping West Ham in the Premiership. "I believe we can stay up 100 per
cent, though. We are full of confidence and results breed that. "We have
had a good team spirit all season but little things went wrong.
"We have corrected them and given ourselves a shout in staying up. "It is
in our own hands and we have been performing really well at home over the
last month. "Next week's game against Bolton will be even bigger than the
one we just had at Wigan."
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Racing Santander pair watched by West Ham
tribalfooball.com - April 30, 2007
Racing Santander pair Ruben Gonzalez and Ezequiel Garay are being linked
with West Ham United. The Hammers had scouts in the stands to watch the
defensive duo in action against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
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Boa Morte delighted to break West Ham duck
tribalfooball.com - April 30, 2007
Luis Boa Morte was delighted to break his duck for West Ham in Saturday's
win at Wigan - and admits he hasn't been at his best since his January
arrival. The former Fulham winger told whufc.com: "It was a great feeling to
score my first goal. "I had an opportunity to get another goal but football
is a team game, and if a team-mate is in a better position to score, you
have to pass to him. It is good to share the goals and the main thing is
that we win." "It has not been a great time for me, and I have been a bit
frustrated with myself," he says. "The supporters were expecting more of me
when I came here in January, and I understand that. "It has been a
difficult season for me with injuries and illness, and it has been
frustrating to not feel 100%. I feel much better and stronger now, though,
and I was happy with my performance at Wigan. "Of course there are only two
games left, but hopefully I can produce the same level for West Ham United
from now on."
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JEWELL POINTS TO CHEATS' CHARTER - Daily Express
Monday April 30,2007
By John Wragg Have your say(0)
PAUL JEWELL says he always smelled a rat over the Premier League's handling
of the West Ham controversy, and by not deducting points claims they have
left the door open for clubs to cheat. The Wigan manager says the League
were also frightened of opening a can of worms involving big clubs. These
are important questions for the Premier League to answer, but if we are
analysing courage, then the Hammers are equipped for this fight, with or
without the help of temperate justice. It is four months since manager Alan
Curbishley had his Baby Bentley rant after the 6-0 hammering at Reading, and
in that time he has developed a team capable of winning a relegation battle.
But Jewell's point is that the League, by fining West Ham for breaking the
rules in the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, have not dealt
severely enough with cheating. What is a £5.5million fine for fielding two
ineligible players when there is £50m at stake for staying in the
Premiership?
League Two club Accrington played two ineligible players but were fined only
£12,000 by the Football League less than a month ago. "I did smell a rat
when Accrington Stanley got fined to be perfectly honest," said Jewell.
"Bury got kicked out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player and
when it came to fruition that West Ham might have done a similar thing, they
might have got their heads together and said, 'Listen, don't take points off
Accrington Stanley, you'd better fine them."
Jewell also claims the Premier League were desperate for Wigan to beat West
Ham. "An insider told one of my people, 'Please beat West Ham on Saturday'.
Because they know they've bottled it." He also said that if West Ham had
been deducted points it could had led to other inquiries "at one or two
London clubs who are quite high up in the league".
Jewell could be thinking of Brazilian defender Alex, alleged to be a Chelsea
player, who is playing for PSV Eindhoven and appeared against the Londoners
in the Champions League. The Blues deny they hold Alex's registration but do
say they have first option to buy."What would have happened if I had played
my suspended player Antonio Valencia?" asked Jewell. "If it's a fine and it
keeps you in the Premier League it's worth it. "The Premier League have set
a dangerous precedent. I would have bet some of my pals to my last penny
that if West Ham had been marooned, if they had been Watford, they would
have had points deducted. "It would have been a shame if West Ham went down
because of that, but it happened to Middlesbrough."
Boro were deducted three points for not fulfilling a fixture because of
injury and illness and were relegated in the 1996-97 season. That Tevez was
one of the stars of a one-sided West Ham show does not help. Take Tevez out
of the equation, or three points, and West Ham's brighter future does not
glow so much.
Chairman Eggert Magnusson must pay the £5.5m, but he looked at the 6,000
West Ham fans who filled one end of the JJB Stadium and said: "It has been
an expensive week, yes, but worth it. Just look at the supporters. "I have
always believed we could stay up, now others are believing it. Alan
Curbishley questioned the motivation of the players but day by day, week by
week, he has built the spirit until now we are there."
At 1-0 Magnusson was out of his seat. At 2-0 he winked and shook a
colleague's hand. At 3-0 he hugged his wife. This victory was engineered by
two of the anti-relegation signings, Lucas Neill and Luis Boa Morte. More,
there was union within the Hammers. When Mark Noble filled in for Neill at
right-back, Neill shook his hand in appreciation; when Noble and James
Collins put their bodies in front of Emile Heskey's close-range shot, Anton
Ferdinand showed his thanks. The Baby Bentleys? Parked.
WIGAN 0
WEST HAM 3
WIGAN (4-4-2): Filan 5; Boyce 5, Jackson 5, De Zeeuw 6 (Unsworth 24, 5),
Baines 5; Kilbane 5 (Aghahaowa 54, 5), Soko 5, Landzaat 4 (Scharner 46, 5),
McCulloch 4; Heskey 7, Camara 5. Booked: Camara.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 6; Neill 8, Collins 7, Ferdinand 7, McCartney 7;
Benayoun 7, Reo-Coker 7 (Mullins 85, 5), Noble 7, Boa Morte 8; Tevez 9
(Spector 83), Zamora 8 (Harewood 68, 6). Booked: McCartney,
Reo-Coker. Goals: Boa Morte 30, Benayoun 57, Harewood 82.
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
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Hammers will tell ex-chairman he's no longer welcome and withhold £1m salary
- Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:42am on 30th April 2007
West Ham are set to withhold more than £1million in payments to former
chairman Terry Brown and withdraw his eight complimentary seats at Upton
Park as they seek some redress after being fined £5.5m by the Premier
League. The club avoided a points deduction after admitting to an
independent commission they broke Premier League rules in respect of the
deals for Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, but are still considering an
appeal. Chairman Eggert Magnusson, whose consortium took control of the club
in November, will consult major investor and club life honorary president
Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson this week before deciding whether to go after Brown,
who was club chairman when the deals were made, for some of the fine
imposed. As part of the takeover, it was agreed Brown should be paid a
salary of £600,000 per year for the next two years and given prime seats at
Upton Park. It seemed likely today, though, that Magnusson, who is
increasingly keen to distance him from the previous regime and holds the
former chairman largely responsible for the problems with the deals, would
withhold those payments. The club could also take action against former
managing director Paul Aldridge who was heavily criticised by the commission
for his part in the transfers of the Argentina World Cup stars. Magnusson,
meanwhile, was continuing today to check whether Brown and the former board
disclosed all the relevant documents regarding the transfer, at the time of
the takeover last year. The West Ham chairman is said to have been unaware
that the Premier League had asked Aldridge whether there were any
third-party agreements involving the Argentina pair. If the Premier League
had deducted points from West Ham, it would have provoked a chaotic
situation in the close season. West Ham would certainly have taken their
appeal to the High Court and a protracted court case would have meant the
Premier League would have been placed in an impossible logistic situation on
planning, for example, next season's fixtures. The Hammers gave themselves a
fighting chance of survival by beating Wigan 3-0 at the JJB Stadium on
Saturday with Tevez playing an influential role and setting up two of the
goals. With Charlton losing at Blackburn and Fulham beaten 3-1 by Arsenal
yesterday, it now appears that two from four teams will go down with
Watford. Wigan manager Paul Jewell believes the Premier League would have
enforced a points penalty if West Ham had been "marooned like Watford" at
the bottom of the league. Jewell claims the League "bottled it" when an
independent commission fined West Ham rather than deducting points which
would have almost certainly condemned them to relegation. He said: "If West
Ham had been marooned like Watford are they would have been deducted points,
as the Premier League could have done it without causing a fuss. "They
bottled it and they know they did. We know the Premier League were desperate
for us to beat West Ham to right the injustice - because an insider told one
of our men that. "I'm convinced they decided not to take points off West Ham
because if they had, they might have had to look at one or two other London
clubs higher up the league." Despite their victory, West Ham still face a
fight to stay up as on Saturday they play Bolton, who are battling for a
UEFA Cup place, before rounding off their campaign against Manchester United
at Old Trafford.
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Latics to fight Hammers decision - Manchester Evening News
Neil Barker
30/ 4/2007
WIGAN are facing relegation and owner Dave Whelan could end up in a legal
battle with the Premier League fighting for reinstatement, plus financial
compensation should his club go down and West Ham stay up. Whelan claims
Latics would have been deducted 10 points had they broken rules governing
transfers as West Ham did. A Premier League commission fined West Ham £5.5m
last week but decided not to deduct points despite serious breaches of rules
in deals that took Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park earlier
in the season. If West Ham beat the drop, any club relegated in their place
will almost certainly challenge the Premier League - and if so the Premier
League could be thrown into chaos over the summer months. Wigan and Fulham
have already considered legal action and Latics' bosses feel the Hammers got
off lightly with just a fine. It came as no surprise to see Tevez, who was
given approval to play at the JJB, torment a Wigan team that has managed to
take just three points from the last 21. Wigan were well and truly hammered
and with two games to go, they are clinging on to Premiership safety by
their fingernails.
Offensive
Not surprisingly, both chairman Whelan and manager Paul Jewell went on the
offensive after losing this crucial clash. Whelan said after the game: "It
would appear no club is going to be deducted points unless they go into
receivership. If it had been Wigan who had broken the rules, I seriously
believe we would have been deducted 10 points. "I saw the West Ham chairman
Eggert Magnusson and asked him if we could employ their lawyer because he
did a fantastic job for them, but good luck to West Ham because they've got
away with it and they are regarded as a bigger club than us. "But what they
did was no secret. It had been out in the open for months so why did it take
so long to deal with?"
Manager Jewell appeared shell-shocked after Saturday's 3-0 home defeat.
Shambolic defending again proved costly and Jewell said: "I don't want to
sound like I'm bleating but everyone at this club knew what the outcome
would be for West Ham last week and if it had been Wigan or Watford, or if
West Ham had been down already, points would have been taken off. "I don't
want anyone getting relegated because of administrative irregularities, that
would be a terrible way, but I knew that with just three games to go there
would not be any points deduction and so it proved. "The Premier League
said they took the West Ham fans into account. Does that mean clubs with a
big fan base can't be deducted points - if so then that is crazy."
Wigan now gear up for Boro but it does seem extremely likely Jewell's men
will have to go to Sheffield United on the last day of the season needing at
least a point to stay up and this is a game not many would relish.
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Hammers could punish Brown - metro.co.uk
Monday, April 30, 2007
Former West Ham chairman Terry Brown could be left out in the cold by his
old club for his part in the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano controversy.
The Hammers, now under Icelandic ownership, were fined £5.5million on Friday
after admitting breaking Premier League rules when they signed the Argentine
duo last summer - when Brown was still in charge at Upton Park.
As part of the deal to sell the club Brown was promised a £600,000-a-year
salary for the next two years plus eight complimentary seats at home games.
However, new chairman Eggert Magnusson is believed to hold Brown responsible
for the Tevez-Mascherano episode and is reportedly ready to withold his
predecessor's priveleges in a bid to punish Brown.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Whelan and Jewell unhappy with Hammers punishment - Wiganer.net
By Paul Farrington Monday 30th April 2007
Both Paul Jewell and Dave Whelan have spoken out about the fine handed to
West Ham United for fielding two ineligable players. The standard punishment
is a points deduction, but for some reason, the Hammers were only fined in
monetary terms. "I heard rumours that if West Ham had been marooned, they
would have had points deducted," Jewell said. "I'd bet you my last penny
that if it had been Watford, they would have had points deducted. The
Premier League were desperate for West Ham to be marooned — an insider told
one of my people, 'Please beat West Ham because the Premier League know they
bottled it.' "If the Premier League have found out that Tévez is owned by a
third party, they might have to look at one or two other London clubs who
are high up in the table. They have set a dangerous precedent, but I think
they are frightened of what they would find if they looked at some other
clubs. "Tévez is a good player and I don't want this to sound like sour
grapes, but what would have happened if I had played [Luis Antonio]
Valencia, who was suspended today?" Jewell said. "If it would have just been
a fine, then whatever fine it was would have been worth it because it could
have kept us in the Premiership. "My players were nervous and devoid of
ideas and energy. The occasion seemed to get to them. We were poor
defensively and we didn't do anything going forward."
While chairman Dave Whelan commented: "The Premier League have now
established that no one can ever be docked points unless a club goes into
receivership and then it's an automatic ten-point deduction. "The rules are
the rules and if this breach doesn't merit the docking of points, then let's
make it clear - nothing does. That's fine by me. Let everyone be treated the
same, I say. A precedent has been set."
If these words are placed into the same sentence, you can draw your own
conclusions... FA, Trevor Brooking, West Ham, no points deducted, survival
chance.
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West Ham now face F.A. Cup boot - all3points,.co.uk
30th April 2007
By Staff Writer
West Ham could be evicted from next seasons F.A. Cup competition according
to reports over the weekend. The Sunday Mirror claims that despite the
Premier League only issuing a fine to the club, the F.A. still have it
within their powers to take further action against the Hammers because of
Carlos Tevez's appearance in this season's competition. The Hammers escaped
a potential points deduction from the Premier League, but the Mirror claims
that the F.A. could come down harder on the club and evict them from next
season's competition. The paper goes on to say that a precedent has been set
by the throwing out of the competition of Bury for playing an ineligible
player and after the criticism fired at the Premier Leagues ruling, the F.A.
will be keen to show a more even hand.
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