15/05/2007 13:04
West Ham United centre-back James Collins was awarded the Man of the Match
accolade against Manchester United as the team clinched Premiership survival
with a 1-0 victory. But the Wales defender pinpointed the Hammers' 2-1 win
at Ewood Park almost two months ago as the turning point in the season. "It
was the bit of luck we had at Blackburn," he said. "Me and Nobes both came
into the side at the same time and we haven't looked back since. We started
at Blackburn, got a little bit of luck and it's all gone our way since,
pretty much. The confidence throughout the team was down but we got a bit of
luck and turned it around and, like I said, we haven't looked back since.
Seven wins out of nine is Champions League form. "We're around the top of
the form table. It's been a long, hard season and everyone was really
disappointed with the way it went but we're all really delighted we've
stayed up."
James was pleased to end the season on a high by picking up his award, but
even more delighted that the Hammers got the result they needed - and
deserved - at Old Trafford. "It's about time I think, because I've been
playing really well!" he said. "I'm delighted to come away with the win and
stay up. "We went into the game knowing it was in our own hands and full of
confidence from the last few results. We went to Old Trafford knowing we
could get a result and if we did it would be enough to keep us up. We
defended well and luckily Carlos nicked a goal for us."
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A load of Cobblers - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
West Ham United are expected to field a strong side tonight when they play
Northampton Town at Sixfields. Alan Curbishley's side travel up the A1 in
order to face a Northampton cup-winning side from 1997 - including current
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate - in a benefit match for former player
Andy Woodman, now a youth coach at West Ham. All bar Carlos Tevez - who is
now back home in Argentina - from Sunday's team are expected to feature at
some point. Tickets for the game - which kicks off at 7pm - are priced £10
for adults (£6 concessions, £3 for under-16s) and can be pre-purchased from
the Sixfields box office (0870 822 1966). 10% of all profits from tonight's
game will be donated to the Cobblers youth set-up.
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Magnusson on the move - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
United Chairman Eggert Magnusson has shelled out £3m on a brand new
Docklands penthouse. 60-year-old Magnusson showed he wasn't short of a few
bob when he paid the huge sum for the property - which features marble
flooring throughout plus two terraces - just weeks after the club were fined
£5.5m by the Premier League. Robert Weston, speaking for developers Weston
Homes, said of Eggy's new pad: "The penthouse showcases the best in design.
The space available at the super penthouse has allowed us to include every
imaginable luxury, experimenting with innovative designs giving us the
opportunity to develop a space surpassing buyer's expectations."
The Icelandic multi-millionaire has been living in London since last year
when he became involved in the bid to purchase West Ham United. Judging by
his latest purchase, it looks like he's here to stay.
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FIFA intervene in Tevez row - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Football's governing body FIFA have announced that they will investigate the
row over West Ham United's punishment for breaching league regulations. FIFA
President Sepp Blatter confirmed this morning that they would look into the
case - whilst adding that they have the power to overrule the Premier League
in the event that they disagree with the League comission's verdict. "We
will look at this - not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway," Blatter
told a press conference in Zurich. "A decision will have to be taken
immediately. "We will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why
the decision was made. "If we feel something was wrong in this decision
then we have to open our file."
* Bookies William Hill are offering odds of 10/1 that West Ham will be
docked points for next season's Premiership campaign.
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Fifa will investigate Tevez saga - BBC
Fifa is to investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points for
breaching rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. An
independent commission fined West Ham £5.5m but several Premiership clubs
felt the Hammers were let off lightly. Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "We
are monitoring the situation very carefully because we have the right to see
how such cases are dealt with. "If we feel something was wrong then we have
to open our file." He added: "Any decision would definitely be taken in time
for next season."
West Ham broke two Premier League rules by entering into a private agreement
with a third-party company when they signed Argentine pair Tevez and
Mascherano in August last year.
Mascherano has since moved to Liverpool, while Tevez stayed in London and
played an influential role in West Ham's successful battle against
relegation - scoring seven goals in the club's last 10 games. Sheffield
United, who went down on the final day of the season, are leading the fight
against the decision not to punish the Hammers with a points deduction. The
Blades, who are being supported by the likes of Wigan, Fulham, Charlton and
Middlesbrough, are also concerned that West Ham may still have been breaking
Premier League rules after the ruling on 27 April.
The Premier League has argued that it has no case to answer in regards West
Ham's punishment because all 20 Premiership clubs agreed to the disciplinary
system in place. However, that has not stopped Sheffield United pursuing
their case and Blatter's intervention may encourage them.
The Fifa boss said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against
Spanish Third Division side Rayo Vallecano means the world governing body
does have jurisdiction over individual clubs.
"Yes we have the power," said Blatter. "The Swiss federal court has made a
ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and the power
to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code, starting with a warning
and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of
points."
In the Rayo Vallecano case, the Spanish club had been threatened with
relegation if transfer fees owed to a Brazilian club were not paid. It
claimed, unsuccessfully, that Fifa did not have the power to do so.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifa to investigate Tevez row - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 15 May 2007
Fifa has confirmed that it will step into the Carlos Tevez row and
investigate whether the Premier League were correct in their decision to
fine West Ham, rather than dock them points for breaching rules. West Ham
were hit with a £5.5million fine after an independent commission found the
club guilty of having a third-party agreement. The furore caused by the
Premier League's decision not to dock points incensed the other clubs that
were involved at the foot of the table, with relegated Sheffield United
proposing legal action. Uefa has previously confirmed that it will not
become embroiled in the on-going saga, but Fifa president Sepp Blatter is of
no such inclination, and he is planning a thorough investigation. "We will
look at this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway," Blatter
told a media briefing in Zurich. "We will ask for the file once it has been
decided how and why the decision was made. "If we feel something was wrong
in this decision then we have to open our file." Blatter continued to
confirm that in terms of timescale a 'decision would have to be taken
immediately.' Fifa does have jurisdiction over individual clubs following a
ruling by the Swiss federal court and this means that should it see fit,
West Ham could be hit with further sanctions accordingly.
"Yes we have the power," Blatter concluded. "The Swiss federal court has
made a ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and
the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a
warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points." West Ham will, though, be relieved to hear Blatter state that
according to Fifa files, the transfer of Tevez and Javier Mascherano from
Corinthians had complied with international transfer regulations. "We will
monitor this situation very carefully and once this situation is dealt with
by the league and the FA we will ask for the files and have a look because
we have the right and the responsibility to see how such cases are dealt
with. "The matter is linked with a club in Brazil - Corinthians - and with
the ownership of this club and the ownership of the two players. "According
to our files the transfer of Tevez was done correctly according to the
international transfer of players."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA could enforce points deduction over Tevez - Soccernet
FIFA are to step into the Carlos Tevez row and will investigate whether West
Ham should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Sepp
Blatter, president of FIFA, said the game's world governing body had the
power to pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to
fine West Ham £5.5million for having a third-party agreement. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been
deducted points. Blatter told a media briefing in Zurich: 'We will look at
this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway. 'We will ask for
the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was made. 'If we
feel something was wrong in this decision then we have to open our file.'
Blatter said in terms of timescale a 'decision would have to be taken
immediately.' He added that according to FIFA's files the transfer of Tevez
and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with
international transfer regulations. Blatter added: 'We will monitor this
situation very carefully and once this situation is dealt with by the league
and the FA we will ask for the files and have a look because we have the
right and the responsibility to see how such cases are dealt with. 'The
matter is linked with a club in Brazil - Corinthians - and with the
ownership of this club and the ownership of the two players.
'According to our files the transfer of Tevez was done correctly according
to the international transfer of players.'
Blatter said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against Spanish
third division side Rayo Vallecano meant FIFA did have jurisdiction over
individual clubs. He added: 'Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court
has made a ruling by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right
and the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with
a warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points.' In the Rayo Vallecano case, the Spanish club had been threatened
with relegation if it did not pay transfer fees owed to a Brazilian club. It
claimed, unsuccessfully, that FIFA did not have the power to do so.
However, the Premier League today insisted there was never any doubt about
Carlos Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The `Gang of Four' clubs,
who are lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape
with a fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano,
have raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence
was against the rules. He told The Sun: 'This has never been a question of
West Ham fielding an ineligible player. 'From the day they signed him, West
Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. 'West Ham
have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned
by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. 'The only problem
we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which
would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time.'
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
'On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement.'
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: 'I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. 'Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. 'Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up.' But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. 'I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him.' The relegation issue is due to
reach the House of Commons today when a group of Sheffield MPs bring the
matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour representative for Sheffield
Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to call for West Ham to be
deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: 'The early day motion is
essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership competition has been
thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. 'West Ham have broken those
rules and they should have points deducted as a consequence.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA to probe Hammers row - The Sun
May 15, 2007
FIFA will investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points over
the Carlos Tevez affair. President Sepp Blatter said football's world
governing body had the power to pass a final verdict on the decision to fine
West Ham £5.5million.They could question the independent commission's
punishment for the third-party agreement with MSI for the signings of Tevez
and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano. Several top-flight clubs are
considering legal action against the Premier League over the sanction,
claiming the Hammers should have been deducted points. Blatter said: "We
will look at this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway. "We
will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was
made. "If we feel something was wrong in this decision then we have to open
our file." Blatter added that a "decision would have to be taken
immediately." But he warned that according to FIFA's files, the transfers
from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international
transfer regulations. Blatter said: "We will monitor this situation very
carefully. Once it is dealt with by the league and the FA we will ask for
the files and have a look because we have the right and the responsibility
to see how such cases are dealt with. "The matter is linked with a club in
Brazil - Corinthians - and with the ownership of this club and the ownership
of the two players. "According to our files the transfer of Tevez was done
correctly according to the international transfer of players."
Blatter said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against Spanish
third division side Rayo Vallecano meant FIFA did have jurisdiction over
individual clubs.
He added: "The Swiss federal court has made a ruling by saying that FIFA and
its associations have the right and the power to use all 14 sanctions of the
disciplinary code starting with a warning and ending with exclusion of a
member via relegation and deduction of points." In the Vallecano case, the
club had been threatened with relegation if it did not pay transfer fees
owed to a Brazilian club. It claimed unsuccessfully that FIFA did not have
the power to do so.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA to investigate Tevez ruling - This Is London
15.05.07
FIFA are to step into the Carlos Tevez row and will investigate whether West
Ham should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Sepp
Blatter, president of FIFA, said the game's world governing body had the
power to pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to
fine West Ham £5.5million for having a third-party agreement. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been
deducted points. Blatter told a media briefing in Zurich: "We will look at
this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway. "We will ask for
the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was made. "If we
feel something was wrong in this decision then we have to open our file."
Blatter said in terms of timescale a "decision would have to be taken
immediately." He added that according to FIFA's files the transfer of Tevez
and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with
international transfer regulations. Blatter added: "We will monitor this
situation very carefully and once this situation is dealt with by the league
and the FA we will ask for the files and have a look because we have the
right and the responsibility to see how such cases are dealt with. "The
matter is linked with a club in Brazil - Corinthians - and with the
ownership of this club and the ownership of the two players.
"According to our files the transfer of Tevez was done correctly according
to the international transfer of players."
Blatter said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against Spanish
third division side Rayo Vallecano meant FIFA did have jurisdiction over
individual clubs.
He added: "Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court has made a ruling
by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right and the power to use
all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a warning and ending
with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of points." In the
Rayo Vallecano case, the Spanish club had been threatened with relegation if
it did not pay transfer fees owed to a Brazilian club. It claimed,
unsuccessfully, that FIFA did not have the power to do so.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No Doubt Over Tevez - Premier League 15/05/07 - Soccer365
The Premier League say there was never any doubt about Carlos Tevez being
eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are lining up
to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a fine for
playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have raised
questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to continue
playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia Joorabchian
became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied that Tevez,
whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as Sheffield
United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was ever
ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence was
against the rules. He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of West
Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they signed him, West Ham
have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham have
never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia
Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem we had
with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which would
allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. "Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up."
But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him."
The relegation issue was due to reach the House of Commons on Tuesday when a
group of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts,
Labour representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and
was due to call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire
Post: "The early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the
Premiership competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear
rules. "West Ham have broken those rules and they should have points
deducted as a consequence."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss buys dream home in Docklands - thelondonpaper
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
West Ham United chairman Eggert Magnusson has forked out £3m for a super
penthouse - weeks after being hit with a £5.5m fine for using two players on
dubious contracts. The Hammers' supremo has splashed out for the swish
Docklands pad as he celebrates beating relegation to the Championship by the
skin of his teeth.
The Icelandic tycoon has shelled out for his new home at 41 Millharbour
after the club were hammered with the massive fine for signing Argentinian
striker Carlos Tevez and midfielder Javier Mascherano. The club was fined
after their contracts were deemed to be irregular. The stunning penthouse
works out at £1,000 per sq ft for Magnusson, the former president of the
Football Association of Iceland. His plush new home, built by developers
Weston Homes, has a champagne fridge in the kitchen and a home cinema system
wired throughout the apartment, "creating the ultimate luxury London living
space". With a huge reception room, the Hammers' owner will be able to
entertain many guests - maybe new signings for his claret and blue army.
Many of the penthouse's walls are made of glass and with floor-to-ceiling
windows, Magnusson will have a spectacular view over Docklands. The kitchen
will be decked out with a wealth of luxury products and gadgets, including
four American style fridge-freezers with icemaker and water coolers. With
marble flooring and two terraces, one with a bar and water feature, any
possible signings are going to be convinced to come to east London in luxury
surroundings. Magnusson will also have the pleasure of a walk-in dressing
room complete with en suite spa bathroom, which boasts a tub equipped with a
surround sound system and mounted TV.
Robert Weston, chairman of Weston Homes, said: "The penthouses at 41
Millharbour showcases the best in Weston Homes design. "The space available
at the super penthouse has allowed us to include every imaginable luxury,
experimenting with innovative designs giving us the opportunity to develop a
space surpassing buyer's expectations."
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Tevez was always eligible to play for West Ham, say Premier League - This Is
London
15.05.07
The Premier League have insisted there was never any doubt about Carlos
Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are
lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a
fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have
raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence
was against the rules. He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of
West Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they signed him, West
Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham
have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned
by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem
we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which
would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. "Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up." But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him."
The relegation issue is due to reach the House of Commons today when a group
of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour
representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to
call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The
early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership
competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. "West
Ham have broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a
consequence."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jol ready for £10m striker bid Tue, May 15 2007 12:57 - EatSleepSport
Tottenham have entered the race to sign Darren Bent from Charlton and could
be ready to make a £10million bid. Bent looks destined to be leaving
Charlton after they were relegated to the Championship and Tottenham along
with West Ham and Newcastle are all said to be keen. Spurs boss Martin Jol
will have a vacancy in his striking department this summer as he looks set
to let Mido leave and should have the funds to draft in England
international Bent. Bent would form one of the most lethal attacks in the
Premiership if he linked up with Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain
Defoe, but the player would want guarantees regarding first-team football,
something Jol would not be able to give. Addicks boss Alan Pardew is already
facing up to the prospect of losing his star man and admits the player wants
Premiership football. "I think the decision on Darren will be a financial
decision not a football one," Pardew revealed. "He's a fantastic player. In
all honesty, when you look at him as a character, the goals he offers and
the work-rate, it's a real premium player you are talking about. "I think he
knows his England chances will be restricted in the Championship, so he'll
be looking to The Premiership. We'd love to keep him, but it's something
we'll have to talk about."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifa to investigate in West Ham transfers row - Telegraph
By Teleghraph online
Last Updated: 1:26pm BST 15/05/2007
World football's governing body Fifa are to investigate whether West Ham
should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules over their
signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. President Sepp Blatter said
Fifa had the power to pass a final verdict on the case following an
independent commission's decision to fine West Ham £5.5 million for having a
third-party agreement, rather than imposing a points penalty. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction. Blatter told a media briefing in Zurich: "We
will look at this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway. "We
will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision was
made. If we feel something was wrong in this decision then we have to open
our file." Blatter said in terms of timescale a "decision would have to be
taken immediately."
He added that according to Fifa's files the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano
from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international
transfer regulations. Blatter said Fifa had the "right and the
responsibility" to investigate such cases. Citing a recent case invloving
the Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, Blatter said: "The Swiss federal court has
made a ruling by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right and
the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a
warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points."
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Tevez-Mascherano: The Issues
The case: Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez were signed on terms which
broke two Premier League rules. First, the contracts allowed the companies
which owned the players' economic rights to move them to another club during
any transfer window. West Ham would receive a nominal fee but had "no right
of objection".
This broke rule U18, which prohibits a club from entering into an agreement
which gives a third-party influence on the performance of the team.
West Ham were found to have told a "direct lie" to the Premier League in
order to cover up the fact the contracts contained third party agreements.
West Ham pleaded guilty to both breaches of Premier League rules.
The Premier League's independent commission fined them £5.5 million after
deciding "this was not only an obvious and deliberate breach of the rules,
but a grave breach of trust as to the Premier League and its constituent
members. In our finding the club has been responsible for dishonesty and
deceit".
The protest: The Premier League's commission admitted a points deduction
"would normally follow from such a breach of rules" - but then provided
seven reasons for not doing so. Chief among them was the fact that a loss of
points would "certainly have relegated" West Ham and cost them up to five
times the £5.5 million they were fined.
The commission also took into account the fact West Ham is under new
ownership, and that the club's players and fans were not to blame for the
situation.
The so-called 'Gang of Four' object to the panel's reasoning for not docking
points. However, the commission was free under Premier League regulations to
impose whatever punishment they deemed "proportionate and appropriate".
Tevez: West Ham were instructed by the commission to remove the third party
agreement in Tevez's contract before he could play again. The club say they
did as soon as they received the judgment - and their actions satisfied the
Premier League, who cleared Tevez to play. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, among
others, has has demanded to see written proof.
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Fifa to investigate Tevez saga
'We will look at this case - and not only if we are asked, we will do it
anyway'
Staff and agencies
Tuesday May 15, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Fifa will step into the Carlos Tevez row and investigate whether West Ham
should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Fifa
president Sepp Blatter said the game's world governing body had the power to
pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to fine West
Ham £5.5m for having a third-party agreement in Tevez's contract. Several
clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League over the
commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been deducted
points. Blatter told a media briefing in Zurich: "We will look at this - and
not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway. We will ask for the file
once it has been decided how and why the decision was made. If we feel
something was wrong in this decision then we have to open our file."
Blatter said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against Spanish
third division side Rayo Vallecano meant Fifa does have jurisdiction over
individual clubs. "Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court has made a
ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and the power
to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a warning and
ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of points."
In the Rayo Vallecano case, the Spanish club had been threatened with
relegation if it did not pay transfer fees owed to a Brazilian club. It
claimed, unsuccessfully, that Fifa does not have the power to do so. Blatter
said any judgement would be swift. He added that according to Fifa's files
the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West
Ham had complied with international transfer regulations. Tevez was a vital
instrument in rescuing West Ham from relegation, and he scored the winning
goal in West Ham's 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend, a result
that ensured the club's Premiership status next season.
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Fifa to investigate Tevez verdict
Times Online and Agencies
Fifa are to step into the Carlos Tevez situation and will investigate
whether West Ham United should have been docked points for breaching Premier
League rules. Sepp Blatter, president of Fifa, said the game's world
governing body had the power to pass a final verdict on an independent
commission's decision to fine West Ham £5.5million over the transfer of
Tevez and fellow Argentinian Javier Mascherano. The club were penalised for
having an agreement with a third party over the ownership of the players.
Several Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the
Premier League over the commission's sanction, claiming the London club
should have been deducted points. Blatter told a media briefing in Zurich:
"We will look at this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway.
We will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision
was made. "If we feel something was wrong in this decision then we have to
open our file." Blatter also said that a "decision would have to be taken
immediately". He added that, according to Fifa's files, the transfer of
Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had
complied with international transfer regulations.
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League: No Tevez problem - EuroSport
West Ham team pageWhelan leads legal fight against HammersWhelan calls for
points deductionsThe Premier League have insisted there were never any
doubts over the eligibility of West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. The
Argentinian signed for the Hammers last summer but details of his ownership
were shrouded in mystery, and the club were ultimately fined £5.5 million
for signing a player who was subject to a third party influence, in this
case Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian. Tevez continued to play for West
Ham after the inquiry, and while his form and goals over the last month have
done a great deal to keep the Hammers in the Premiership, several clubs have
questioned the players' right to have been on the pitch in the first place.
But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied the claims made by the
so-called 'Gang of Four' - Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham -
insisting that Tevez was legally entitled to have taken part in the run-in
to the end of the season. "This has never been a question of West Ham
fielding an ineligible player," Johnson told the Sun. "From the day they
signed him, West Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an
issue. "West Ham have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier
Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the
rules. "The only problem we had with the deal was the existence of a clause
in the agreement which would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to
another club at any time."
Following the inquiry, the Premier League sent a letter to West Ham which
proved Tevez was eligible to play, although it has not yet been made public.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian," Johnson added. "They presented the
Premier League with written evidence of the new arrangement." Wigan owner
Dave Whelan has called to see "concrete evidence" of the termination of
Tevez' original contract, and is thought to be keen to see the letter. Even
though Wigan avoided the drop last weekend, Whelan has vowed to fight
alongside Sheffield United - who would not have been relegated had West Ham
been docked points as punishment - for a more thorough investigation into
the affair.
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