Filed: Monday, 22nd September 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United number one Robert Green has expressed his unease over the
new management structure. Green, talking after United's 3-1 win over
Newcastle at the weekend expressed his concerns over recent player sales -
two weeks after Alan Curbishley walked out in protest at the same thing.
"The only thing clear now is that you aren't going to go anywhere until
January," he said. "Then it all gets thrown up in the air again. "As things
have gone on it's become fairly apparent it's the board's decision on those
things, along with Gianluca Nani. I think it's very difficult to weight up
how you feel about things. You just have to put your head down and get on
with it. "They make decisions as they see fit and there has to be an element
of trust with people who maybe haven't got such a hands-on role. It's a new
structure that has been around in Italy a long time and, although it's new,
we can't go around saying 'we don't know about it, we're going to disregard
it'. "It's just something different for us to get our heads around." Green
first fell out with the club earlier in the summer when he went public with
concerns regarding his salary - a situation that prompted the club to take
the unusual step of making an announcement on their website regarding
Green's contract.
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Blades Win Tribunal So What - WestHamFans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 23 September, 2008 - 13:47.
Every dog has it's day, and Sheffield United supremo Kevin 'McBabe' is
having his. He was so desperate to announce his 'victory' over West Ham
United that the poor little chap just couldn't contain himself, bless him
and all the bias fools who earn a good living at licence payers expense in
the guise of BBC Sheffield! Before stampeding to purchase a new whippet in
celebration or get a subtitled top up box in order that they can understand
English, Blades fans might like to consider that the appeals process through
the European Sporting body could not only reverse the decision but also find
that Sheffield United have tried to bring the game into disrepute. Instead
of receiving a scurrilous windfall the Blades may end up having to fork out
for the hefty legal bill of both parties and a possible fine. It is a pity
that Sheffield Utd's players didn't pursue their football matches with the
same vigour as their Chairman has pursued the legal process, because if they
had they would have managed to stay up in the Premier League on merit as
opposed to running to teacher- Ed
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Watford v West Ham preview - SSN
Can the Hornets sting the Hammers?
Last updated: 23rd September 2008
Watford welcome West Ham to Vicarage Road on Tuesday in the third round of
the Carling Cup. The Hornets will be hoping to put the 'phantom goal'
debacle of their weekend fixture against Reading firmly behind them, while
the Hammers will be looking for a positive performance on the field to
distract the attention away from a possible £30million compensation package
they may be forced to pay Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.
Watford will also be keen to put their Championship woes behind them as
their focus switches to knockout competition. Aidy Boothroyd's side have not
won in their last three fixtures, while their opponents have won three of
their last four - scoring 13 goals in the process.
Watford have also been hit by an injury blow to first-choice keeper Mart
Poom. The Estonian shot-stopper lasted just four minutes of the
controversial 2-2 draw with Reading on Saturday before dislocating his
shoulder in a challenge with Kevin Doyle. Midfielder Jobi McAnuff was
another to pick up a knock against the Royals, limping out of the action
with a back strain. Boothroyd has seen his side seriously depleted by injury
over the last few weeks and is struggling to fill the seven-man bench for
the cup tie. Scott Loach will start in goal, while Lionel Ainsworth could
come in for McAnuff. Right-back Lloyd Doyley and striker Tamas Priskin both
picked up hamstring injuries in the 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth last week
and are set for a month on the sidelines. Grzegorz Rasiak is facing at least
another month out after breaking a bone in his shoulder, and left-back Mat
Sadler is out for a similar length of time with a knee injury.
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has injury problems of his own but is expected
to use the game as an opportunity to run the rule over some of the younger
members of his squad. The Hammers will again be without striker Dean Ashton
(ankle), while Craig Bellamy is a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile, Carlton Cole is set to be rested after picking up a slight foot
problem in a man-of-the-match display against Newcastle on Saturday. That
could mean teenage forward Freddie Sears could be given a chance to impress.
Defenders Danny Gabbidon (groin) and Jonathan Spector (thigh) remain
sidelined, while midfielder Kieron Dyer continues his rehabilitation after a
broken leg.
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Sheffield United and West Ham farce back with a vengeance. Isn't it time to
let it go? - 4sportsake.com
If a summer full of long, drawn out transfers wasn't tedious enough, we are
now faced with the prospect of the Tevez saga dominating the back pages
through the winter. Looking at the two clubs now they are virtually
unrecognisable from the ones that fought for survival in the Premier League
two seasons ago.
Sheffield United have had two different managers since whilst at West Ham
they find their managerial set up completely changed. They even have new
owners. At the time they argued that they shouldn't have to pay for the
mistakes of the previous regime, so surely the new lot will argue that they
shouldn't have to do the same for the owners before last?!
Sheffield United could argue that the failure to punish West Ham has
resulted in them having an extended spell in the Championship and severely
hindered the finances required to push for promotion.
West Ham already have financial problems. How would they manage with having
to pay a £30m compensation bill?
We all probably agree that this has gone on far too long. What should the
final outcome be though? Do Sheffield United deserve some form of
compensation? Or have West Ham already paid their dues?
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It's the Premier League who owe Blades £30m not West Ham - Daily Mail
By Hatchet Man
Last updated at 2:49 PM on 23rd September 2008
Sheffield United are on the verge of getting some satisfaction from West Ham
for the Carlos Tevez affair. A judgement has finally gone their way in the
protracted saga and they are on track to receive a compensation payout.
Justice, it appears, will finally be done, but there are still a couple of
questions outstanding. Why are the Premier League, who failed to dock West
Ham points when ruling they had illegally registered Tevez, not also
culpable for Sheffield United's losses? And how can chairman Kevin McCabe
claim Phil Jagielka would have been worth £8million if his club had stayed
up with a straight face?!
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West Ham No1 Green: Di Michele faces Cup culture shock
23.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green expects new teammate David di
Michele to suffer a culture shock in their Carling Cup tie with Watford. "It
could be a real welcome to Championship football," said the former Norwich
keeper. "It will be different for the new boys. I'm not sure it will be a
welcome change - they'll come off with a few bruises. "These guys possibly
won't have come up against anything like it, but I'm sure it's going to be a
bit of fun for them."
West Ham's Di Michele: I quit Torino because of De Biasi
23.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United striker David di Michele admits he quit Torino because of
coach Gianni de Biasi. He said: "I know the president (Urbano Cairo) never
wanted me to leave, but I left because of De Biasi and no-one else. Now I am
only thinking of West Ham, but I thank Cairo for his admiration. "I don't
care what De Biasi says.
"I just want to do well here and then at the end of the year we will see
what I can do."
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Blades ruling is a long overdue victory for common sense - Guardian
Today's tribunal ruling in favour of Sheffield United is the right one - but
it won't give them back their place in the Premier League
It's not about the money. Despite today's ruling in their favour over the
Carlos Tevez affair, I'd be surprised if Sheffield United see anything like
the £30m they are believed to be claiming, and, to be honest, it wouldn't
matter to me if it was 30p or £300m. It's likely to lead to a series of
appeals and counter-appeals in any case, in all likelihood heading to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport. It doesn't matter. The thing that will
please Sheffield United supporters, like myself, most of all today is this:
"We have no doubt that West Ham would have secured at least three fewer
points over the 2006-07 season if Carlos Tevez had not been playing for the
club."
That line, taken from an independent tribunal's judgment in favour of
United's claim for compensation against West Ham, is what Blades fans have
been saying for the best part of two years. There will be the usual bleating
– "Sheffield United didn't get enough points on the pitch, so they deserved
to go down." The fact is that if the Carlos Tevez had not been playing for
West Ham United, which he should not have been, it is they who would have
failed to have gain enough points on the pitch and they who would have been
relegated. Today's ruling has finally recognised that fact. It probably
isn't over yet but this at least offers some closure for United fans still
stinging from that miserable afternoon in May.
For United, any compensation is likely to be used to help manage the club's
debts and possibly put toward the rebuilding of the Kop. There's no prospect
of a flood of high-price signings and on Saturday the Blades will probably
extend their worrying run of four league games without a win when they face
Watford. In January, if the matter isn't still rumbling on at the CAS, they
may be able to push the boat out and sign the half-decent creative
midfielder that they've been crying out for for what seems like years. It
won't bring back their Premier League status. It won't revolutionise the way
we play or get Phil Jagielka and Michael Tonge back to the club. It won't
eradicate the painful memories. It's greatest effect, certainly for the
Bramall Lane faithful, is likely to be little more or less than a mass
psychological soothing.
Today's decision also raises questions about the leadership of the Premier
League. The initial decision to fine West Ham, rather than dock them points
- a ruling that precipitated so much - has been shown as the cowardly action
it was. The timing – West Ham were charged in at the beginning of March 2007
but the Premier League's decision was not made until the end of April – was
idiotic, skewing the relegation battle for all the teams involved and
favouring none of them, West Ham included. The Premier League's chief
executive Richard Scudamore and chairman Dave Richards should be considering
their positions. A mess that has taken the greater part of two years to sort
out (and is still likely to rumble on) should have been solved in a matter
of weeks.
For everyone at Bramall Lane today's judgment is reward for a tenacious
battle for justice that has lasted 16 months. West Ham's owners have
continually attempted to "draw a line" under the affair. United, and their
chairman Kevin McCabe in particular, have been there at every turn to snap
the Hammers' pencil. In a way, this isn't a victory for United and a defeat
for West Ham, though it's likely to feel that way for Björgólfur Gumundsson
and co particularly as the crime was committed under previous owners. And
it's fair to say that Hammers fans aren't particularly happy about it
either, in contrast to their Yorkshire counterparts. For me, though, it's a
triumph for common sense and all football fans should applaud it.
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West Ham Sponsors should be queing up! - CMon Yu Irons
23 September 2008
With so much Media attention each week and the fact at present we are a top
6 club, plus West Ham star in more movies than any other football league
club so there should be a queue of sponsors just itching to have their
company logo on the clubs shirts. Maybe the PR people at Upton Park should
get their finger out and reap the benefits of such media domination at the
moment. One more thing, why cant Landsbanki (Bank owned by BG & Son) sponsor
us, or is it a breach of FA rules for a Owner to sponsor his own club?
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Portsmouth Boss Redknapp Pulls Out Of The Race For 'Expensive' Appiah - West
Ham & Arsenal Yet To Move - PremiershipLatest
Submitted by Niraj Prabhu on Tue, 2008-09-23 13:30.
Even as West Ham United and Arsenal continue to be linked with a move for
free agent Stephen Appiah, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has more or less
accepted defeat in the pursuit of the powerful midfielder. The Ghanaian
captain is looking for a club in England after having his contract at
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce cancelled earlier in the summer. The 27-year-old
former Juventus player had earlier this month suggested that he was looking
to move to a London-based club after claiming offers from the Hammers and
the Gunners, whose boss Arsene Wenger however seems content with his squad
despite not having brought in central-midfield replacements for Gilberto and
Mathieu Flamini. "I doubt it very much whether he will be coming to us,"
Redknapp told The News. "He's going to be expensive. He's going to want big,
big wages, so it will be difficult. "We have already brought players in. I
have got a squad and we've spent money to do that. The owner has been great.
"But we're not planning to do anything else now."
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The first time I went to Sheffield............... - WHO
Admiral Lard - Tue Sep 23 2008
In 2000 I undertook a study of Sheffield on behalf of a national franchise
chain with whom I occasionally worked.
Never been to the place before despite the Hammers having played at both
clubs and in cup semis various.
I was truly taken aback by what I found. This was a city in complete
turmoil. Its two key industries, coal and steel, changed out of all
recognition. Coal mining was all but gone and steel was being produced in
the same quantities though now fully automated requiring just 5% of the old
workforce.
Sheffield's Don Valley, which runs through the heart of the city, was
derelict as far as they eye could see except for the middle distance.
There stood a number of glass and steel office structures, looking entirely
out of place, which housed vast call centres for the likes of Littlewoods
and other retailers. These too have been outsourced to India.
The City centre was trying to fight back with the ubiquitous
pedestrianisation and shopping centre developments. I stayed at a hotel near
the crucible theatre during the week of the world snooker. It was easy to
get a room which spoke volumes for the lack of business interest in
Sheffield at that time.
My client had two failing premises, one because the pedestrainisation had
killed its "drive to" trade, the other because most of the local business on
which it relied had closed or moved. To cap it all that evening, whilst
returning to my comfortable hotel, a scrawny, impoverished woman offered me
"anything I wanted" for just £15. The Dickensian image was now complete.
I felt depressed, sad for the place. It was once proud, too proud of its
working class roots to the point of denial about change for the future. Set
up as the South Yorkshire Republic Maggie's government lined it up as the
number one target.
Arthur's seat (Arthur Scargill, Miners' Leader in the 70's and 80's) was
systematically dismantled, crushed and with it went its self respect and
prospects for the future.
For the first time in my life I felt a proper social conscience, angry
toward Maggie for the wanton destruction of this once great place and
community. I thought Sheffield had a spirit, a keenness to progress and
develop, I was wrong.
So now we wind forward to 2008. The Pantomime Villain McCabe is still trying
to eeek out what he sees as justice because Sheffield United FC was not good
enough for the premiership.
Despite the Premiership Parachute payments they remain "not good enough" and
probably never were. What is it with the malaise that afflicts this City
that they must hang onto what has gone?
Their sense of injustice will do little to resolve their own situation, the
rebuilding of Sheffield United's ambition. It is highly unlikely they will
be awarded the £30M they seek and if they are awarded that amount It will go
through the courts "ad infinitum".
Sheffield's case (That Tevez's contribution gave West Ham at least 3 extra
points) is purely subjective.
West Ham have been punished for a breach of rules by the FA. Sheffield
United are clinging on to the past, let it go. Get on with rebuilding and
beating West Ham where it counts...........................on the pitch.
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CARLING CUP - WATFORD v WEST HAM - EARLY TEAM NEWS - CmonBoro.com
West Ham will rest Carlton Cole for the Carling Cup tie at Watford on
Tuesday night as the striker has a slight foot injury. Dean Ashton (ankle)
is still sidelined, along with fellow forward Craig Bellamy
(hamstring/groin), so youngster Freddie Sears could be handed the chance to
impress. Defenders Danny Gabbidon (groin) and Jonathan Spector (thigh)
remain sidelined, while midfielder Kieron Dyer continues his rehabilitation
after a broken leg. Watford will be without goalkeeper Mart Poom and winger
Jobi McAnuff. Poom lasted just four minutes of the controversial 2-2 draw
with Reading on Saturday before dislocating his shoulder in a challenge with
Kevin Doyle, while McAnuff limped out of the second half with a back strain.
Hornets manager Adrian Boothroyd has seen his side depleted by injury over
the last few weeks and is struggling to fill the seven-man bench for the cup
tie. Scott Loach will start in goal while Lionel Ainsworth could come in for
McAnuff. Right-back Lloyd Doyley and striker Tamas Priskin both picked up
hamstring injuries in the 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth last week and are set
for a month on the sidelines. Grzegorz Rasiak is facing at least another
month out after breaking a bone in his shoulder and left-back Mat Sadler is
out for a similar length of time with a knee injury.
West Ham (from): Green, Behrami, Upson, Neill, Ilunga, Faubert, Noble,
Parker, Etherington, di Michele, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Reid,
Mullins, Boa Morte, Collison.
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Now Zola is left to pick up the pieces
Andrew Hodgson, Evening Standard
23.09.08
When West Ham pulled off the biggest transfer coup in the club's history on
deadline day in August 2006, it all seemed too good to be true. Chairman
Terry Brown had secured the signatures of two Argentinian World Cup stars
and made the Hammers major players in the Premier League. West Ham's loyal
supporters were in dreamland. Would they really be about to watch Carlos
Tevez and Javier Mascherano down at the Boleyn? The wish now must be they
had never touched either with a bargepole. True, Tevez scored the goal that
kept the club up against his current club Manchester United but it is
arguable that they would ever have been in that position in the first place
if he hadn't moved from Corinthians. His appearance in the dressing room
caused much unrest. Mascherano was not the player he is now. He failed to
settle and moved to Liverpool in January last year. Tevez only started to
perform when the club were in dire straits and although his efforts to keep
the club up were seen as heroic, they could end up costing them dearly.
Already fined £5.5million by the Premier League after being found guilty of
acting improperly and witholding vital documentation over the players'
ownership, they are now facing a much more severe £30m penalty. All the
parties involved in the deal, Brown, manager Alan Pardew and the two players
have now moved on.
Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson and his new manager Gianfranco Zola are the
ones likely to have to pick up the pieces. Club officials have already
insisted that they will fight on if an independent Premier League tribunal
rule that the Hammers must pay that sum to Sheffield United who filled the
final relegation spot at the end of the 2006/07 season. They will need to
fight. Such a huge sum, in the current financial crisis, could prompt a
firesale of players in January. Former manager Alan Curbishley came under
pressure during the summer to offload the big-earners in his squad. Freddie
Ljungberg was paid £6m just to get him off the books. Bobby Zamora and John
Pantsil went to Fulham and offers were made for Craig Bellamy and Dean
Ashton. West Ham also lost their shirt sponsor two weeks ago when airline XL
went bust. Worse still, Gudmundsson, the Icelandic banking magnate who led
the £98m acquisition of West Ham United two years ago, is set to bear the
brunt of the collapse of XL Leisure. He was the most substantial investor
standing behind the mountain of debt which has funded XL for the past two
years. Gudmundsson is the chairman of Landsbanki, the Icelandic bank which
lent the £143m that financed the buy-out of XL from its then parent company,
the Icelandic stock exchange company Avion Group, in 2006. That loan,
however, was guaranteed by Avion, now a slimmed-down shipping and
transportation group known as Eimskip, in which Gudmundsson is also a
significant investor.
All of which makes tonight's Carling Cup tie with Watford a sideshow for
Zola. Saturday's win over Newcastle was achieved with an attacking verve
that had given a fresh sense of optimism around Upton Park. The Geordies
arrived in east London in a mess and were thoroughly outplayed as David di
Michele scored twice to give a renewed sense of expectation. That could now
vanish as the news sinks in about the damage that could be inflicted on
Gudmundsson. Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe said it would be
"inappropriate" to discuss figures of compensation this morning. But he
previously said: "If you say that the Championship play-off game is worth
£60m and Sheffield United's attendance last year was 31,000, with full
hospitality boxes and restaurants and broadcasting income, you would say
compensation is around £50m."
That figure may be unrealistic but what is no longer in doubt is that Zola
must lift his team to perform at even greater levels in order to remain in
the top flight.
West Ham simply could not afford to be relegated from the Premier League and
miss out on the untold millions that comes with it.
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Is Green off in January? By Harry Amber-Mitchell - Upton Sparks
Posted on Tuesday 23 Sep 2008 12:00:00
Robert Green appears to be worried he might be the next out the revolving
door at Upton Park after expressing concerns over the board's actions. Never
one to know when to keep his opinions to himself, Green thinks the fact that
Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney were sold hints at worrying times
ahead. "The only thing clear now is that you aren't going to go anywhere
until January," said Green. "Then it all gets thrown up in the air again. As
things have gone on, it's become fairly apparent it's the board's decision
on those things, along with Gianluca Nani. "I think it's very difficult to
weigh up how you feel about things. You just have to put your head down and
get on with it. They make decisions as they see fit and there has to be an
element of trust with people who maybe haven't got such a hands-on role.
"It's just something different for us to get our heads around." Whether
he's just speaking out of turn and there's little in the comments, it's
certain to start media reports of unrest at Upton Park this year. So the
task for Zola to succeed from the word go is even greater... whoops, now
we're at it too!
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The Nightmare Begins - West Ham Till I Die
So, the nightmare is coming true. It looks as if we will be fined £30
million over the Sheffield United/Tevez saga. It's difficult to take in the
implications of this. Will the fine have to be paid in one go? Has it been
properly budgeted for? Has the lack of transfer activity this year been
entirely due to money being put aside, just in case? Certainly, we seem to
have had a net balance of about £11 million over the summer.
I'm slightly in shock over this so haven't quite got into rant and rave mode
yet. But give me time.
I'm now about to head down to Watford. I say, down, as I am driving down
from Manchester where I have been spending a day at the Labour Party
Conference. For the first time in my life I will be sitting in the
director's box (note to self: change out of usual jeans) courtesy of the
lead investor in my company, who just happens to own 42% of Watford. Not
quite sure of directors' box etiquette if we score though…
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Hammers refuse to comment on Tevez ruling - Northampton Chronicle
Published Date: 23 September 2008
West Ham are refusing to comment on the independent arbitration panel's
verdict against them over the Carlos Tevez affair. While former Sheffield
United manager Neil Warnock welcomed the verdict as "a matter for justice",
the Hammers say they are going to consult their lawyers. The Blades went
down while West Ham were fined a record £5.5m, but not deducted any points,
for playing Tevez and Javier Mascherano in breach of league rules on
third-party ownership. Crystal Palace boss Warnock, who left Bramall Lane
after the club were relegated as Tevez fired the Hammers to safety, believes
any financial compensation is a poor substitute for the future his side
could have enjoyed in the Premier League. The panel are yet to determine the
size of the compensation, with a figure of up to £30m suggested.
A West Ham spokesman said: "The club will need to fully digest the findings
of the arbitration panel and consult our lawyers on possible next steps.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."
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Warnock: Justice is done but money can never replace what Sheffield United
lost out on by being unfairly relegated - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:14 AM on 23rd September 2008
Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has welcomed an independent
arbitration panel's verdict in finding against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez
affair as 'a matter for justice'. But Crystal Palace boss Warnock, who later
left Bramall Lane after the club were relegated as the Argentina striker
fired the Hammers to safety, believes the money is a poor substitute for the
future his side could have enjoyed in the Premier League. Sheffield United
chairman Kevin McCabe today claimed victory after a 16-month battle to right
the perceived injustice of going down in place of a side who were fined a
record £5.5million, but not deducted any points, for playing Tevez and
Javier Mascherano in breach of league rules on third-party ownership. The
panel are yet to determine the size of the payout but although a figure of
up to £30million has been suggested, Warnock believes something even more
valuable was lost at the end of the 2006-07 season. 'It's a matter for
justice and I think everyone in the country knows this is the right
verdict," said Warnock. 'They have only claimed for one season (in lost
revenues) and what they would have missed out on on the field and off the
field. 'That's what it comes to in today's game. It's not an awful lot at
the top level...it's one good player. 'This justifies what Kevin McCabe has
said all along: that we were hard done by, that it wasn't done legally and
we were fighting for our rights. 'It's the principle of the whole thing. We
were appalled by the original verdict.'
Reflecting on the effect relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship had on the
Blades, he added: 'It was scandalous. It changed one or two lives and it
shouldn't have happened. This verdict puts your faith back into the justice
system.' 'The club itself is geared up for the top level and it knocked us
back no end. 'I think we would be doing very well (in the Premier League).
It (relegation) is on my CV, which it shouldn't be.' Announcing the
arbitration panel's findings, McCabe this morning said: 'I can confirm that
both clubs have been notified of the ruling. The arbitration panel has
awarded in our favour. 'The matter is still legally in process so I do not
wish to comment any further until we have completed that process.'
Tevez and Mascherano are both long gone from Upton Park, earning lucrative
moves to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, while Kia
Joorabchian, whose MSI company were judged to have partially-owned the
Argentinian pair, is now a transfer consultant with the Hammers. He had
originally taken legal action against the east London club, claiming he was
owed £7.1million, but the parties agreed an out-of-court settlement earlier
this year. For their part, West Ham are now considering whether or not to
appeal against this latest ruling through the Court of Arbitration for
Sport, although that decision may hinge on the level of compensation that is
fixed when the arbitration panel meets again to determine a figure.
Like Sheffield United, West Ham signalled their intent to withdraw from the
debate while they consult legal representatives, insisting: 'The club will
need to fully digest the findings of the arbitration panel and consult our
lawyers on possible next steps. It would not be appropriate to comment
further at this stage.'
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Five football courtcases waiting to happen - The Spoiler
September 23rd, 2008 · No Comments
A can of worms has been opened, folks
Sheffield United's successful tribunal ruling against West Ham could cost
the Hammers £30m in compensation, and it also sets a dangerous precedent for
results on the pitch being overruled by men in suits. The Spoiler decided to
examine other potential footballing matters that could end up being settled
by lawyers:
1) Watford miss out on the play-offs by a point
The Football League have decided there will be no replay of Saturday's
Watford/Reading match, despite the fact that the Royal's opener was clearly
not a goal. If Watford end up finishing just outside the play-off places, or
if Reading wind up just inside them - does that give Watford the right to
sue the Football League, the referee and the linesman?
2) Germany claim the 1966 World Cup
Sheffield United were able to win their case relying predominantly on 'what
ifs', rather than solid facts. Imagine how successful a Germany appeal could
be when they have digitally-enhanced evidence that Geoff Hurst's second goal
didn't cross the line - another example of West Ham cheating!
3) England gain passage to the 1986 World Cup semi-finals
Maybe England could compensate for losing that World Cup by sueing Argentina
for Diego Maradona's Hand of God in 1986. This would lead to Argentina being
kicked out for unsporting behaviour and and England facing Belgium in a
restaged World Cup semi-final. Of course both countries would be forced to
wear retro kits and only field players from their 1986 squads.
4) Ade Akinbiyi sues The Sun
Akinbiyi could claim that Premier League clubs were put off signing him, not
because he was rubbish but because they were worried about receiving
negative press after The Sun labelled him "The League's Worst Striker" while
at Leicester. This meant he spent the following years at Crystal Palace,
Stoke City, Sheffield United and Burnley rather than achieving his Top Four
potential. As well as shelling out £50 million in damages The Sun would be
forced to refer to Akinbiyi as "The Football League's Best Striker" to
compensate for past criticism.
5) Derby demand £30 million compensation for their relegation
If Sheffield United can sue for being one the three worst teams in the
Premier League, why can't Derby do the same? The Derby board could tamper
with Paul Jewell's managerial contract and leak to the media that he was
actually signed from a Kia Joorabchian-run third party. The Rams would then
be in a position to demand compensation for the 67 points they dropped in
Paul Jewell's 24 Premier League games in charge.
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Green unsure about Hammers set-up - Guardian Series
11:36am Tuesday 23rd September 2008
WEST HAM keeper Robert Green has admitted the squad are unsure whether they
are coming or going under the current regime at Upton Park. Several members
of the squad were sold by the Hammers' board, who overrided Alan
Curbishley's authority, accepting bids for the likes of Anton Ferdinand and
George McCartney when the former Charlton boss had insisted they were still
a part of his plans. That led to Curbishley's resignation and Green revealed
the squad are still in the dark about their futures at the club. "The only
thing clear now is that you aren't going to go anywhere until January," said
Green. "Then it all gets thrown up in the air again. As things have gone on,
it's become fairly apparent it's the board's decision on those things, along
with Gianluca Nani (West Ham's technical director). "I think it's very
difficult to weigh up how you feel about things. You just have to put your
head down and get on with it. They make decisions as they see fit and there
has to be an element of trust with people who maybe haven't got such a
hands-on role. "It's just something different for us to get our heads
around."
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