WHUFC.com
The highly-rated Marek Stech has joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the
end of the season
12.03.2009
Marek Stech is to get valuable first-team experience after being loaned to
League Two high-fliers Wycombe Wanderers.
The Czech youth international goalkeeper has been recruited until the end of
the season by Peter Taylor's side, who sit second in the table. Stech could
make his debut in Saturday's crucial match with table-toppers Brentford at
Griffin Park, when the visitors will be hoping to close the seven-point gap
between the two sides.
The 19-year-old has put in some eye-catching displays for the reserves this
season, most recently the tremendous 1-0 away win at Arsenal on Monday
night. He has also been named as a substitute in four first-team matches.
Stech joined West Ham United from Sparta Prague in July 2006 and his
progress is such that he was rewarded with a five-year contract last July.
Meanwhile, youth-team goalkeeper Adam Street, 17, was unable to help Canada
reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Mens Under-20 Championship in Trinidad
and Tobago after a 2-1 defeat by Costa Rica on Tuesday night meant they
finished third in Group B. It means Canada will also miss out on the FIFA
U-20 World Cup in Eygpt this September.
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Collison on the sidelines
WHUFC.com
The club's medical department have confirmed that Jack Collison will be out
for several weeks
12.03.2009
Jack Collison has been ruled out for six to seven weeks with a dislocated
kneecap - raising hopes he could still play a significant part before the
end of the season.
The 20-year-old Wales midfielder hurt his right knee in the second half of
the 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday 4 May. Collison underwent an
arthroscopy to assess and deal with the injury on Tuesday and is recovering
well. He has made 16 league appearances this season, scoring three goals,
and also established himself as a full international.
The news follows the confirmation earlier this week that Valon Behrami will
be out for six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left
knee. The 23-year-old midfielder had been injured in the 1-0 victory against
Manchester City on Sunday 1 May. Meanwhile, Luis Boa Morte (groin), Kieron
Dyer (calf) and James Collins (hamstring) are all doing well in training -
with the former the closest to a first-team return.
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Stokes enjoys cup victory
WHUFC.com
On-loan West Ham United midfielder Tony Stokes helped Ujpest FC overcome MTK
Hungaria
12.03.2009
West Ham United midfielder Tony Stokes completed his first full 90 minutes
for Hungarian side Ujpest FC in Wednesday's 2-1 Magyar Kupa quarter-final
first-leg win at MTK Hungaria.
Starting in a central midfield role, the 21-year-old, who is on loan with
the Soproni League title-chasers until the end of the season, was heavily
involved as goals from forwards Peter Kabat and Attila Simon saw Ujpest take
the advantage into next Tuesday's second-leg.
Stokes, who has made one appearance for the West Ham first-team, made his
Ujpest debut in the 2-0 home league victory over BFC Siofok on Saturday.
That win kept the 20-times Hungarian league champions level on points with
leaders Debrecen.
Following the club's midweek cup success, the Canvey-based player will hope
to keep his starting place when Ujpest face a trip to fourth-placed
Szombathelyi Haladas on Friday evening.
Stokes, who has been handed the No6 shirt by Ujpest manager Lazar Szentes,
is one of two young English players at the club, the other being on-loan
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Scott Malone.
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Ladies get ready for final
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are preparing for their first ever senior cup final
on Sunday
12.03.2009
West Ham United Ladies have been hard at work this week as they prepare for
the Essex County Cup final on Sunday.
Tony Marshall's side will play Colchester United in the showpiece, which
takes place at Maldon Town FC's Wallace Binder Stadium. West Ham Ladies
Manager Marshall believes preparations for the match are going well after a
positive result in the league on Sunday.
"This is a massive week for us as we have never won a senior trophy," he
said. "All of our junior sides have rearranged their games to come and watch
and we also have the West Ham mascots coming so there should be a really
good atmosphere. Colchester will be a real test but we are confident as we
will have our strongest squad out."
The Hammers gave themselves the perfect preparation for the final with a 5-0
victory over Ipswich Town at the weekend. Goals from Tracey Duxbury, Lindsey
Morgan, Holly Griffin - her first senior goal - Sam Pittuck and Julia
Setford secured the win that kept them in third place in the FA Tesco
Women's Premier League.
"The Ipswich game was ideal preparation for the cup final. We exploited the
wide areas well and dominated the midfield with some great deliveries and a
real ambition by our midfield and forwards to get into the box. The win took
us up to third in the table as both Barnet and Portsmouth lost so with seven
games left is all up to us."
Check out whufc.com tomorrow for a full preview of the final, which
kicks-off at 2pm.
West Ham United (from): Paris Smith, Rosy Sullivan, Jade Dempster, Carly
Roache, Jess Barling, Tracey Duxbury, Lindsey Morgan (c), Sam Pittuck, Katie
holmes, Gemma Shepherd, Zoe Marshall, Nat Grafton, Clare Rogers, Julia
Setford
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West Brom ticket update
WHUFC.com
There is still time for fans to purchase tickets for Monday's game with West
Bromwich Albion
12.03.2009
Supporters are reminded that are still a limited number of tickets remaining
for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to the Boleyn Ground on Monday.
West Ham United will be chasing their third consecutive victory as they look
to strengthen their grip on seventh position in the table, and with it the
possibility of European football next season. Gianfranco Zola's side will no
doubt be looking to avenge the narrow 3-2 defeat at the Hawthorns earlier
this season, when goals from Lucas Neill and Mark Noble were not enough to
earn a point for caretaker manager Kevin Keen.
Ticket prices are available from £35 for adults and £17 for under-16's non
members. Youth Academy members are still able to apply for a complimentary
ticket with discounts also available for Young Adult and Senior Citizens.
Any remaining tickets can be purchased either in person from the Dr. Martens
Ticket Office, by calling 0871 222 2700 via Option 1 or online by clicking
here https://www.whufcboxoffice.com/
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Hypocrisy Pays
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 13th March 2009
By: A Different Staff Writer
United are reported to have agreed an out of court settlement with Sheffield
United over the long-running Carlos Tevez affair. The Independent is
reporting that the club will pay an estimated £10m spread over five years,
though the full details of the deal are likely to remain confidential. A
recent arbitration panel decided that Sheffield United's relegation was
totally the result of the form of Carlos Tevez rather than their own failure
to secure enough points to enable their safety and a further panel was due
to sit to discuss the Blades' claim for £45m. However, if the deal goes
through as reported, Blades' Chairman Kevin McCabe will escape a detailed
analysis of his calculations - which were likened in forensic accounting
circles as resembling a "dodgy holiday insurance claim".
The deal would represent good news for the Irons as it would bring a degree
of financial certainty to the Club at a time when a sale is on the cards.
Meanwhile, in the interests of "Fairness In Football" we look forward to
hearing the announcement from Bramall Lane regarding the amount of
compensation now to be paid to Barnsley striker Iain Hume who has still yet
to play following the thuggish attack on him by Sheffield United employee
Chris Morgan back in November.
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Hammers confirm Collison blow
Midfielder suffered dislocated kneecap at Wigan
Last updated: 12th March 2009
SSN
West Ham midfielder Jack Collison has suffered a dislocated kneecap and is
facing six to seven weeks on the sidelines. The Wales international
sustained the injury in the Hammers' stormy 1-0 success over Wigan at the
JJB Stadium when he crumpled to the turf in agony 12 minutes from time.
Collison, who underwent surgery earlier this week, will now miss the
forthcoming Premier League fixtures against West Brom, Blackburn,
Sunderland, Tottenham and Aston Villa. A swift recovery would give him an
outside chance of being involved in the home date with Chelsea on 25th
April, but it is more likely he will not return until the final month of the
campaign. The news is a further blow to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola who has
already lost Valon Behrami's services for the next six months after he
ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in the victory over Manchester City. The
20-year-old Collison has made 16 Premier League appearances this season,
scoring three goals, and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents
at Upton Park. A statement on the club's official website read: "Collison
underwent an arthroscopy to assess and deal with the injury on Tuesday and
is recovering well."
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West Ham agree compensation with Sheffield United over Carlos Tevez
The long-running dispute between West Ham United and Sheffield United over
Carlos Tevez is finally over after the London club agreed to pay
compensation to settle the matter.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter
Last Updated: 8:03AM GMT 13 Mar 2009
West Ham will pay a sum thought to be in excess of £10m in exchange for
United withdrawing all complaints against them. The Blades had originally
claimed £45m as compensation for their relegation in the 2006-07 season.
Crucially the money will be paid in instalments over five years,
significantly easing the financial burden on the club.
Sheffield United began the compensation claim after successfully arguing
that Tevez's participation in crucial matches in the 2006-07 season while in
breach of Premier League third-party rules played a material role in their
eventual relegation. West Ham avoid court battle with Terry BrownWest Ham
rejected the claim but an independent FA arbitration panel chaired by Lord
Griffiths found in Sheffield United's favour, ruling that Tevez, who scored
the winner in the decisive game of the 2006-07 season, had had a decisive
effect on the Blade's fate. Lord Griffiths' panel had been due to meet on
Monday to hear arguments over the size of compensation, but following the
settlement agreed yesterday that hearing has now been cancelled. A separate
Premier League inquiry launched following the Griffiths ruling will
continue. The London club were preparing to reject Sheffield United's
arguments next week having calculated that the real cost of relegation from
the Premier League was far lower than the £45m claimed, but ultimately
conceded defeat rather than risk another adverse finding. With West Ham's
parent company facing acute financial difficulty in Iceland they would only
have been able to meet any immediate demand for payment by selling players.
By paying in instalments they have removed that threat, though Sheffield
United are understood to have extracted a higher price in exchange for the
five-year payment schedule. The settlement brings to an end a corrosive saga
that began in April 2007, when West Ham were fined £5m by an independent
Premier League inquiry for breaching rules governing third-party ownership.
No points were deducted and controversially Tevez was permitted to play in
the final three games of the season after West Ham claimed they had
unilaterally terminated their third-party agreement with the players'
advisors, a consortium headed by Kia Joorabchian. Tevez was instrumental in
helping the Hammers survive, scoring the winner against Manchester United in
the last game of the season at Old Trafford that ultimately kept them in the
division. Sheffield United lost a High Court challenge to the Premier League
panel's decision and then persuaded the FA that it should convene an
arbitration panel to rule on the decision. Lord Griffiths's ruling was
hugely controversial but ultimately decisive, and West Ham's concession
yesterday finally brings the case to a close.
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West Ham to pay Sheffield United £10m in peace deal over Tevez affair
Bramall Lane club will drop all complaints
FA and Premier League may impose further fines
Bill Neenan The Guardian, Friday 13 March 2009 Article history
West Ham United will pay compensation to Sheffield United in the
long-running dispute over Carlos Tevez and the Sheffield club's relegation
in 2007, reports said last night.
West Ham have agreed to pay more than £10m – to be paid in instalments over
five years – and Sheffield United will withdraw all of its complaints
against the London club, ending the legal battle that began with United
arguing that Tevez's participation in key matches in breach of the Premier
League's third-party agreement rules had been decisive in helping them to
remain in the top league while Sheffield were relegated. United had been
asking for £45m in compensation.
An independent Football Association arbitration panel, headed by Lord
Griffiths, sided with United against West Ham and ruled that Tevez was
instrumental in the result. The panel were due to meet on Monday to
determine the extent of compensation that should be involved but the hearing
has now been cancelled in light of the agreement yesterday.
West Ham still face the prospect of a further fine or a points deduction
after the FA and Premier League announced a fresh investigation into the
Tevez affair in January. The Hammers were originally fined £5.5m but the
independent panel convened by the Premier League in April 2007 did not
impose a points deduction. The FA and Premier League decided in January that
the conclusions of Lord Griffiths, delivered in September, left them with no
option but to return to the matter. Their lawyers have written to those
involved asking them for written statements and arranging face-to-face
interviews.
The move will focus on the conduct of West Ham's chief executive, Scott
Duxbury, in the wake of the Premier League's original ruling on the matter.
Lord Griffiths ruled that Duxbury had provided Kia Joorabchian, the leader
of the consortium that "owned" Tevez and his Argentinian international
colleague Javier Mascherano, and his lawyer Graham Shear with a series of
"oral cuddles".
"We have acted in good faith throughout the inquiries and investigations
into this matter and fulfilled the undertakings given to the Premier League
following the initial penalty," said the club at the time. "We have nothing
to hide and will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to
the FA and Premier League."
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Tevez saga ended by '£10m' deal
West Ham to pay staggered compensation in order to secure their long-term
future
Independent.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Friday, 13 March 2009
West Ham United have agreed a compensation deal with Sheffield United to end
the long-running Carlos Tevez saga. An announcement could be made as early
as today, although the finer details were still being discussed last night.
Although the terms of the agreement will remain confidential, it is
understood that, for West Ham, the key is that they will pay compensation
spread over the next five years rather than as a lump sum. By staggering the
payments, West Ham believe they have helped safeguard the future of the
club. The outcome nevertheless represents a victory for the Blades who have
been seeking damages ever since they were relegated from the Premier League
at the end of the 2006-07 season. They lodged an initial claim for £30m,
which was revised up to £60m and then back down to £45m.
It is understood they have now accepted substantially less than that figure,
although the payments probably amount to more than the £5m-£10m West Ham had
hoped to be liable for. However, because they are staggered, West Ham will
be able to absorb them more easily into their budget. The Hammers have
strongly contested United's claim and believe that they still have a robust
case following a forensic examination of the south Yorkshire club's accounts
which included an analysis of the costs of player recruitment – transfer and
signing-on fees – and wages which erodes the argument that they are liable
for all the Premier League television money the Blades missed out on by
being relegated. A damages hearing had been scheduled for Monday but,
following the agreement, that will now be cancelled, with the Championship
club agreeing to no further legal action.
West Ham supporters will be relieved that the case has been settled but
angered that their club is paying compensation. However, although the club
is believed to have been convinced by its case, they are not in a position
to risk having to pay compensation as a "one-off" hit because of the
financial problems of their Icelandic owner and chairman, Bjorgolfur
Gudmundsson.
There is also concern about what Lord Griffiths might have decided was
sufficient damages. He chaired the independent panel which made the
controversial, and much-debated, ruling last year in favour of the Blades.
Given the nature of his ruling, in which he effectively said that Tevez
saved West Ham from relegation and condemned United to the drop, it was
deemed too great a risk to allow the hearing to go ahead.
If, for example, Griffiths had ordered West Ham to pay £7m, which would
arguably have represented a victory for them, the cash is not available. It
would have raised the spectre of the club having to sell a key player in the
summer. If Gudmundsson's wealth had not been decimated by the global
financial meltdown, it is unlikely a deal would have been agreed at this
stage.
The compensation agreement was thrashed out during a series of meetings in
Brussels between the Sheffield United chairman, Kevin McCabe, who lives in
the Belgian capital, and West Ham's chief executive, Scott Duxbury. Although
West Ham have long been resigned to the fact that they will have to pay
damages, they also believe they are making a hard-headed business decision
for the future of the club and to remove a degree of uncertainty at a time
when Gudmundsson has been facing pressure to sell up.
The Blades had argued that they were relegated as a result of West Ham's
admitted breach of Premier League rules in the transfer of Tevez from the
Brazilian club Corinthians at the start of 2006-07. The case opened up the
thorny issue of player ownership and so-called third-party agreements. West
Ham ended the season three points ahead of Sheffield United in the table and
instead of receiving a points deduction were fined £5.5m for fielding Tevez,
who subsequently moved to Manchester United that summer, by the original
independent commission which sat on behalf of the Premier League.
The Premier League has since instigated a new inquiry, together with the
Football Association, into the affair, because of the comments from
Griffiths, that Duxbury had given so-called "oral cuddles" to Graham Shear,
the solicitor for Tevez's adviser, Kia Joorabchian. Shear claimed Duxbury
had provided an assurance that the third-party agreement, which West Ham had
ripped up, was still in place. West Ham firmly reject this and point to the
legal action taken by Joorabchian to recover money from the club as an
indication that they acted as they had promised.
The West Ham squad have been in Spain this week ahead of their league game
at home to West Bromwich Albion on Monday. Valon Behrami will miss the next
six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Jack Collison is
ruled out for five weeks after dislocating a knee cap.
Tevez tears: How signing turned sour for Hammers
31 Aug 2006 West Ham sign Media Sports Investment-owned striker Carlos Tevez
for £12m.
2 Mar 2007 Premier League charge West Ham for breaches of transfer rules.
27 April West Ham are fined £5.5m but receive no points deduction.
13 May Tevez's goal at Manchester United keeps West Ham in the top flight.
Sheffield United lose at home to Wigan and are relegated.
3 July Sheffield United's legal challenge against relegation is dismissed by
an arbitration panel.
3 Aug Tevez allowed to join Manchester United after Hammers agree deal with
MSI.
23 Sept 2008 Panel chaired by Lord Griffiths rules for Sheffield United in
compensation claim.
12 Mar 2009 Sheffield United agree '£10m' settlement with West Ham.
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Man Utd boss Ferguson praises West Ham fans
13.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised West Ham fans for their
reaction to his players last month. In his match programme notes for this
week's 2-0 victory over Inter Milan, Ferguson wrote: "Full marks to the West
Ham fans who bucked the trend of booing the return of former players. "When
we were there last month they applauded Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and
Carlos Tevez when their names were read out. I thought it was very
refreshing and appreciative."
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