WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's reserve side play host to table-toppers Aston Villa at Bishop's Stortford tonight
17.03.2009
Alex Dyer is expecting another difficult contest when his reserves take on Barclays Premier Reserve League South leaders Aston Villa at Bishop's Stortford this evening.
The second string Hammers achieved a tremendous 1-0 win at Arsenal last week despite a youthful selection that had no first-team players on view. The same is likely this evening although Dyer should be able to call upon the likes of goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and defenders Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Eyjolfsson to help stop a Villa attack that has fired the Midlands club eight points clear of third-placed West Ham. N'Gala is expected to captain the side as he did against the Gunners, while Kurucz could make his first competitive appearance at reserve-team level since signing from Ujpest in the absence of Marek Stech, who has joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
Zavon Hines could make his first start for the club since signing a new contract earlier this month and the 20-year-old striker is hopeful of catching Gianfranco Zola's eye for the senior side before the end of the campaign. Hines has been hampered by a knee injury of late but could partner Balint Bajner, who is fresh from scoring twice for the Under-18s in a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The two teams played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season and Dyer is hoping the Arsenal and Palace successes have had a galvanising effect on his youngsters. "The lads have done well in the last week," he said. "Tonight will be a different prospect though. Villa are a strong side and work hard from start to finish. We have got some players in there like Bondz and Zavon that are getting close to the first team and they will help some of the younger ones along."
Admission to tonight's contest at Woodside Park is free to season ticket holders, £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. Kick-off is at 7pm.
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Zola makes a 'good point'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola was happy to see his side add another point in their hunt for a European place next season
17.03.2009
Gianfranco Zola was keen to look at the positives after Monday night's 0-0 draw with a battling West Bromwich Albion side.
West Ham United endured a frustrating evening in front of goal at the Boleyn Ground, with West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson rarely troubled. There were, however, plenty of plus points for the manager to carry into the weekend's game with Blackburn Rovers, with the encouraging displays of several of the younger members of his squad chief among them.
England Under-20 international James Tomkins was a particular shining light in central defence, while 19-year-old winger Junior Stanislas gave a promising performance on his debut after coming off the bench. Fellow teenagers Savio and Freddie Sears will also have both benefitted from an extended run out after starting, the latter for the first time. Zola said: "It is a good point for us because of all of the problems we had and because of a good performance from West Brom."
With Carlton Cole suspended, Jack Collison and Valon Behrami out through injury and Diego Tristan only fit enough for a place on the bench after recovering from a muscle injury, Zola was forced into rejigging both personnel and tactics for the match. The manager, however, did not want to use it as an excuse and was keen to praise the performance of Tony Mowbray's side.
"[Having players out] certainly doesn't help. We knew exactly what the problem might have been and that's why we tried to play differently. Certainly we were not the same team as we have been at other times but also I have to say West Brom played a very good match. I said before that they are a very good team, they play good football and they are a dangerous team."
The draw moves West Ham United two points clear in seventh position and keeps their chase for a possible UEFA Europa League place next year very much alive, and Zola is confident his side can hold on to their position until the end of the season.
"We have a few problems with injuries and a few big players missing for us but we are going to have a go and we are going to try. It is going to be a bit harder than before but we will try."
Zola was forced into reorganising his defence when Matthew Upson left the field with a calf injury in the 29th minute. Initial reports showed the injury was not too serious, although Upson will have further tests by the club's medical team before a decision is made on his availability for Saturday's game at Ewood Park.
"I am hopeful Matthew shouldn't be too bad. He had a problem before he came on the pitch but it shouldn't be too bad. I believe it is not a major problem but right now it is difficult to say how long it is going to be."
Tristan? The only reason I didn't play him is that he has been out with a muscle problem. Plus I had the feeling that Freddie deserved the chance today.
Tristan more presence? Maybe. It is a week that is very important week and how he works physically. If he works well and I see he is in good shape, I will play him.
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Tomkins takes heart
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was pleased to have helped West Ham United to their third straight clean sheet
17.03.2009
James Tomkins admitted he and his West Ham United team-mates were in philosophical mood after being held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion.
The England Under-19 central defender was at his composed, assured best as West Ham kept a third consecutive clean sheet in Monday evening's Barclays Premier League fixture at the Boleyn Ground.
The 19-year-old will have impressed the watching England head coach Fabio Capello with the mature manner in which he dealt with the combined threat of the powerful Marc-Antoine Fortune as well as the speedy Luke Moore and Jay Simpson.
While Gianfranco Zola's men will have been frustrated not to secure all three points against the Premier League's bottom club, Tomkins was eager to point to the fact the Hammers maintained their fine defensive form against Tony Mowbray's side.
"Obviously it was a game we were expected to win with West Brom being the opposition and them being down the bottom and trying to keep their place in the Premier League. We were disappointed not to win. We had a few chances to nick it, but we had to be happy with the clean sheet.
Tomkins, who has started each of the Hammers' last four first-team fixtures in all competitions, excelled in the match after defensive partner Matthew Upson was withdrawn with a calf strain.
The 29-year-old Upson's injury is not thought to be too serious, although he will be assessed further on Tuesday to determine whether he will be in contention for Saturday's trip to Ewood Park. Upson's early departure against West Brom forced a reshuffle, with Lucas Neill slotting in alongside Tomkins and substitute Jonathan Spector filling the right-back berth.
"We had to readjust a bit after Matty's injury. He had a bit of a calf during the week and it was touch-and-go whether he would make the game but he gave it a go. That's the sort of player he is and the way he has played for us."
With former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce now in charge at Blackburn, Tomkins is expecting a physical battle against a Rovers outfit who go into the weekend just a point above the relegation zone.
"Blackburn are down there but every game is going to be a hard one and we're taking nothing for granted. It will be a tough game, especially up there, and we're going to have to be at it if we're going to get a positive result."
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Leeds board the gravy train
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has confirmed that they will be the next club to attempt to claim compensation from West Ham United in the wake of the Carlos Tevez affair. The League One club - who left hundreds of local businesses out of pocket to the tune of £35million when administrators seized control of the club in 2007, before selling it straight back to owner Bates - have confirmed this lunchtime that they will be seeking damages in respect of 'contingency payments'.
Leeds claim via their website that they 'missed out on payments in relation to Premiership survival for the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon, and Ian Bennett' - whilst Bates, speaking on Yorkshire Radio this morning added: "We sold a number of players to Sheffield United with contingencies. When they got relegated on the last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum. That's what we lost and if they are being compensated for their loss we believe we should be compensated for our loss.
"There are other clubs in the same boat who have similar claims. Ours is the biggest claim and it would be nice to collect that and strengthen our squad. We are currently taking advice on it and won't be commenting further at this time."
Leeds, Yorkshire neighbours of Sheffield United were in the Premier League as recently as 2004 but ended up in the third tier of English football after being relegated from the Championship in the same year as the Blades lost their Premier League status. Once it became clear that they were going to be relegated from the Championship the club applied for administration, an event that cost them ten points and relegation but also millions of pounds in lost revenue for all the clubs and organisations associated with the club - including the local St Johns Ambulance who were left £165 out of pocket.
* Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has this morning ruled his club out of making any compensation claims in regard to the Tevez case. When asked whether he would be following up an earlier comment in which he suggested that other clubs whose Premiership prize money may have been affected by West Ham United's final placing in the 2006/07 season and may therefore have reason to claim compensation, Gartside replied that his statement had been 'tongue in cheek' - and that Bolton had no interest in 'pursuing the matter'.
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Ponces out in force
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Neil Warnock and some of his former charges are once again threatening to sue West Ham United. Warnock, the former manager of Sheffield United who engineered their relegation from the Premier League in 2006/07 (before blaming everyone else for it) had previously threatened to sue the Hammers for his own ineptness, which included resting key players for vital games in Sheffield United's run-in that season. Talking to today's Daily Mail, Warnock reiterated his desire to sue for compensation in the wake of West Ham United's out-of-court settlement with his former employers. I'll be looking into this now," he said. "I just wanted to see the club's case out of the way first.
"It justifies what we've said all along. We've had a lot of people criticise us for taking it this far - but that's what justice is all about. "As far as I'm concerned, I should still be a Premier League manager. And I think the players have a case, too."
Meanwhile the lawyer representing both former and current Sheffield United players says that his clients will now press ahead with their own compensation claims.
Chris Farnell told the Times: "We understand, but have not been informed officially, that the club's dispute with West Ham has been settled. "However, the players' claim will continue independently. We have made correspondence with West Ham's lawyers as recently as the end of last week."
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Zola: Upson ok
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Gianfranco Zola says he expects Matthew Upson to be playing again sooner rather than later. The England centre half, playing in front of national team boss Fabio Capello was forced off with a calf strain just 29 minutes into last night's drab 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion. However initial reports suggest that the England international will recover in time to feature for the national team when they take on Slovakia at Wembley 11 days from now - although he remains a daoubt for this weekend's trip to Blackburn. "Matthew shouldn't be too bad," said Zola. "He had a problem with his calf before he went on the pitch, but it's nothing major." Zola is already without James Collins, Valon Behrami, Jack Collison, Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer, Dean Ashton (all injured) and Carlton Cole (suspended) ahead of this Saturday's visit to Ewood Park.
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Out of order, my sson
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Bromwich Albion's Jonas Olsson could face disciplinary action for a challenge on Rob Green that could have left the goalkeeper blinded. Olsson recklessly elbowed the United keeper in the face during a West Brom set piece in last night's goalless draw at the Boleyn, although escaped unpunished as the incident was not seen by referee Mark Halsey. However the FA will study video footage of the incident if Halsey admits in his match report that he missed the incident, which appears to show Olsson deliberately elbowing Green as the England keeper rises to take the cross. Green, who received treatment for three minutes following the challenge admitted that he was lucky to escape without serious damage. "Luckily it was on a sturdy part of my face rather than an eye socket or my nose," he said after the game. "That could have done me some proper damage but I'll live to fight another day."
Olsson did however receive the support fo manager Tony Mowbray, who added: "I didn't see him do anything. But Olsson would never do anything like that on purpose. He is a gentleman."
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Blackwell looking forward to signing Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell says that he will be casting an eye over some unnamed West Ham players following the resolution of the Carlos Tevez affair.
Blackwell, whose Sheffield side are currently fourth in the Championship with eight games of the season to play made the comment in an interview with Sky Sports this morning when questioned about possible loans deals ahead of the Football League's approaching loan deadline. "The important thing is that the relationship between Sheffield United and West Ham United wasn't soured," he said. "I think it's been finished very well, we're delighted, we've got a lot of respect for West Ham and we can move forward together and hopefully do some business later on. "I'm sure Gianfranco won't want me to say I want players but it means I can go to West Ham now obviously and look to take a loan player. It's not been something I felt I could do until this situation was sorted, so at least there's another club I can borrow someone off.
"I'm just glad that the Tevez affair is finished. I don't think it's been very good for football and I know it's a situation that's hung over both West Ham and Sheffield United - and we're glad it's put to bed. "I'm sure the chairman will give me a ring at some point and discuss how much we've got to spend next season."
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PFA Chief Gordon Taylor Speaks Out Over The Carlos Tevez Affair
The chief executive of the Professional Football Association believes some Sheffield United players have a right to claim some of the money received by the club from the West Ham compensation package...
17 Mar 2009 15:13:01
Goal.com
West Ham United and Sheffield United reached an out-of-court settlement - believed to involve a weighty figure between £15 million and £25m - over the Hammers' fielding of a player owned by a third party. However, the dispute forever rages on. Then-manager Neil Warnock has threatened to sue to London club while PFA (Professional Football Association) chief executive Gordon Taylor's has declared that members of Sheffield United's team at the time deserve a portion of the financial package received by the Yorkshire outfit. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Taylor today said, "It [the compensation package] was a sensible outcome, but it has been going on for some time.
"I'm quite concerned it will drag on. We've informed the Football League and the FA. From Sheffield United's point-of-view, there are players who have lost a considerable sum of money. The claims of the players should have been included in that compensation payment. "They've already got a lawyer and legal case and they are liaising with us. These days, in Premier League players' contracts, there are clauses written in contracts where wages are appropriately reduced when clubs are relegated. "Neil Warnock, too, feels particularly aggrieved as he lost his job due to the events that happened. "The losses to the players are being quantified as being between £1m-2m. We've raised it with Sheffield United and they said they were advised not to include players' sums, which is strange because a case could now rise where players take on a case against their club, or former club. "The players have a right to claim against the club for a right of the share that was received."
Regarding the fairness of the amount of the financial package that will exchange hands over a projected five-year period, Taylor said, "The very fact that there is a judge and arbitration shows that West Ham did indeed breach the rules, and as such are accountable." Taylor went on to offer his thoughts on the current trend of booing players in the Premier League when results, or performances, are going in favour of their rivals. "The PFA is a trade union and as such you have to talk about trade and equality," he explained. "There is a difference between booing a villain at a pantomime and booing a player. "We've had a lid on hooliganism and do not want to go back to the days of the '80s and if we are not careful these things can rise to the fore once more. We have to work hard with the FA, Premier League, the clubs, police and stewards. "Yes, there are big inter city rivalries but some things aimed at players are just not acceptable. The police and the courts need to act."
Gordon Taylor is accredited with being the most highly-paid chief executive of any trade union official in the world.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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Olsson cleared by Halsey
Referee review ensures Baggies defender will not be punished
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN
West Brom defender Jonas Olsson has escaped FA punishment for his clash with Robert Green on Monday. The Baggies centre-half caught the Hammers keeper with a flailing arm during a lacklustre goalless draw at Upton Park. The incident went unpunished by match referee Mark Halsey, but left Green requiring lengthy treatment.
The England international bit a small part of his tongue off as a result of the collision, but soldiered on to the end of the game. Halsey has since viewed the incident again and, despite Hammers protests, is standing by his initial decision, claiming the clash was not worthy of a red card. The Baggies will be delighted at that verdict, but disappointed they did not benefit fully from the coming together. As Green hit the turf, Shelton Martis looked to have forced a breakthrough, only to see a looping header crash back off the crossbar. The Dutchman was making his first Premier League start and admits he is hoping to enjoy better fortune in the Baggies' battle against the drop.
"I hope so, hopefully we can go and win against Bolton (on Saturday) and push on from there really and just gather more points," he said.
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Warnock - No vendetta
Former Blades boss still bitter about relegation
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN
Neil Warnock has admitted he is still bitter about Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League as he considers legal action against West Ham. The Blades dropped out of the top flight in 2007 as a Carlos Tevez-inspired West Ham stayed up at their expense on the final day of the season. The Hammers were fined after breaking rules regarding third-party ownership but they were not deducted points and Sheffield United have been seeking compensation for almost two years. A settlement between the clubs was finally reached on Monday but Warnock, manager of the Blades at the time, is still furious with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and is thinking about launching a personal claim. He told Sky Sports News: "I am pleased it's finalised because we knew all along we were in the right. There should have been action sooner but at least now it can be put to bed between the two clubs. "If it had been a bigger club it would have been dealt with at the time and it wouldn't have been brushed under the carpet. I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore and the Premier League because it was my dream job as well. "I wanted to get this out of the way first and then I would look at it. I will be taking legal advice myself. "I just feel very bitter than I am not a Premier league manager still. If you only knew how much hard work it was in the seven years to get the team up to the Premier League, it was a bitter disappointment knowing Tevez shouldn't have been in the team the last few weeks."
Warnock has been criticised for pursuing the matter but he insists he has been motivated by a desire to see justice done rather than a private vendetta against the Hammers. Asked if he had a vendetta, Warnock said: "Not really, no. I would love to manage them. "You are going to get stick and we have been slaughtered in the London press, especially. "But justice in England is the major thing and it would have been easy to brush Sheffield United aside. "We have wanted the truth to come out all the way along the line. When wrongs have been done against you, you fight for your cause."
Warnock believes Sheffield United would have improved if they had avoided relegation in 2007 and would still be in the Premier League. He explained: "I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premier League status. "I think we could have been an established Premier League side and we had high hopes of taking the club forward, spending money in our first summer to keep us up. "Even West Ham fans know, if you ask them why they stayed up, there is only one word and that is Tevez."
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Upson adds to Zola's woes
Defender suffers calf injury against Baggies
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN
West Ham's injury problems show no sign of abating, with Matthew Upson the latest to be crocked. The centre-half lasted less than half-an-hour of the Hammers' goalless draw with West Brom on Monday before being forced from the field. Having tweaked a calf muscle, the 29-year-old had to be removed from the action on a stretcher. While the problem is not believed to be too serious, it will keep him sidelined at a crucial stage of West Ham's season. It will also put a dent in his international ambitions, with England's forthcoming fixtures against Slovakia and Ukraine likely to come too soon. The injury comes a blow to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola as well, as the Italian has already seen his squad blighted by problems this season. However, for all his troubles, the Upton Park outfit remain in the hunt for a European spot in the Premier League.
Monday's stalemate with the Baggies helped to cement their standing in seventh place and Zola admits he was pleased to take a point from a disjointed contest. He said: "I think this was a good point for us because of all the problems we had and a good performance from West Brom. I consider it a good point." The Hammers were booed off at the end by some of their own supporters, but Zola believes the majority of fans remain fully behind the team. "The fans are vital all the time, so the players feel their backing," he said. "They can give something extra, but the fans are okay. But we have to help them to be behind us. We will try harder next time."
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Green thankful for lucky escape
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 17 March 2009 - 11:57 AM
Robert Green reckons he was lucky to escape serious injury after being elbowed in the face by West Brom's Jonas Olsson.The West Ham keeper was sent flying to the deck by the giant centre-half and thinks he may have even managed to bite part of his tongue off during the incident."Looking at the replays on TV, he caught me with a good one," said Green. "Luckily, it was on the sturdy part of my face, rather than the eye socket or my nose. "That could have done some proper damage, but I'll live to fight another day."
But former Premier League referee Graham Poll reckons Olsson should have seen red for the challenge having watched the incident again. He told Setanta Sports: "Olsson comes in with his arm. He is looking, knows where Green is and catches him across the chin. If seen, it is a red card offence. I think it was deliberate." Baggies boss Tony Mowbray was quick to disagree, insisting the Swedish defender did not set out to injure a groggy Green. "I don't know why he went down," said Mowbray. "Olsson would be the least person to do anything on purpose. He's absolute gentleman and wouldn't do anything like that."
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Zola puts his contact book to good use
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 17 March 2009 - 14:44
Gianfranco Zola is hoping his status in Italy might hold some sway as West Ham United attempt to lure another Serie A based star to London's East End. The Hammers boss is reportedly battling several other European sides for the signature of Siena's Columbian full-back Juan Camillo Zuniga. Zuniga, who moved from homeland side Atletico Nacional last summer, has impressed despite Siena's overall poor form and has been linked with AC Milan, Fiorentina, Palermo, Sevilla and Schalke in recent months. The 23-year-old looks set to be the subject of a bidding war come the end of the season with his value rocketing to around €8m. Speaking to assembled press this week, Zuniga admitted,"It is nice to see in the newspapers my name linked to the big clubs in Italy and abroad."
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Neil Warnock: Blades may have settled but now I will take legal advice
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
It was a bittersweet moment when my old chairman at Sheffield United, Kevin McCabe, told me the club had agreed a deal with West Ham United for compensation over the Tevez scandal. I felt fully vindicated. I was just very disappointed I have relegation on my CV when it should not be there. We worked our butts off to get Sheffield United into the Premier League and I was convinced we would stay. This is final confirmation that we would have but for illegal means. On a level playing field we would have stayed up. Am I bitter? What do you think? These should have been the best years of my life. There is no way I would have left the club if we had stayed up. It was my dream job, my hometown club, a club I supported, and I was managing them in the best league in the world. It's an ill wind, as they say, and I'm enjoying the challenge of managing Crystal Palace and the experience of living in London, but that feeling can never be replicated whatever else I achieve in the game. Personally, I feel I suffered more than anybody, and not just financially.
I am bitter that Richard Scudamore, who as chief executive is the overseer of the Premier League, can remain in his job. It was obvious from the word go that the Premier League just wanted to brush it under the carpet with an attitude of "it's only Sheffield United". That is a disgrace. So, I'm feeling a mixture of emotions right now. One thing I do know, now the case between the clubs has been settled, I'll be taking legal advice myself.
Neil Warnock is the former manager of Sheffield United
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Sheffield United players could sue West Ham United
The Times
Gary Jacob
Hopes that the Carlos Tévez affair had reached a conclusion were dashed last night when Sheffield United's players said that they are threatening legal action against West Ham United for loss of wages and bonuses.
In an unprecedented move in the English game, about 20 of the squad who played for the Yorkshire club at the time of their relegation two years ago are seeking compensation of between £4 million and £5 million in total. The move comes after West Ham agreed to pay about £25 million in compensation to Sheffield United in an out-of-court settlement to end the wrangle over the eligibility of the Argentina forward to play for the East London club during the 2006-07 season. West Ham were fined £5.5 million in April 2007 for breach of league rules over the Tévez transfer but escaped any points deduction.
But the dispute could escalate farther. Wigan Athletic and Fulham have pledged to continue their fight for compensation after missing out on prize money that they would have received had West Ham finished below them. Neil Warnock, who was manager of Sheffield United at the time, has sought legal advice about a claim. He maintains that he would still be at the club had they not been relegated. Instead, he resigned and has subsequently taken charge of Crystal Palace.
"Sheffield United players are quite right [to take legal action]," Warnock said. "No one has suffered more than me. I'm absolutely delighted with the outcome. For personal reasons, I'm disappointed that this was not sorted out sooner. We deserved to stay up and if everyone had played by the same rules, we would have done."
West Ham said yesterday that they have not received a claim from the players, but they are confident of fighting off any actions. The renewed uncertainty will have an impact on potential buyers for West Ham, who are £47 million in debt, because of concerns about the unknown liabilities.
Phil Jagielka and Matthew Kilgallon are believed to be among the players to have contacted Chris Farnell, a lawyer from IPS Law in Manchester, which has taken up the case. "We understand, but have not been informed officially, that the club's dispute with West Ham has been settled," Farnell said. "However, the players' claim will continue. We have made correspondence with West Ham's lawyers as recently as the end of last week."
Jagielka, for example, might have suffered no loss in wages because he moved to Everton soon after relegation, but the England defender would expect to have been paid a bonus for helping Sheffield United to stay up. A Barclays Premier League player could expect a bonus of about £100,000 to £150,000 for helping his team to avoid relegation. Kilgallon, in contrast, remained at the club and would probably have had his wage cut by half — the rule of thumb for many contracts. Players in the top flight usually earn in excess of £20,000 a week whereas they might expect up to £12,000 a week in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The dispute could take a further twist depending on the outcome of an investigation into West Ham by the Football Association and Premier League. The governing bodies are considering whether the club breached rules in assurances made to ensure that Tévez could play in the final three matches of the 2006-07 season.
Any thoughts that this will be dropped after the settlement between West Ham and Sheffield United have been ruled out by Wigan and Fulham. Wigan are expected to raise the matter at the Premier League's quarterly meeting in three weeks' time.
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Report: West Ham United Face Battle For Signature Of Siena's Juan Zuniga
The Hammers target is also wanted by a host of Italian clubs as well as Sevilla and Schalke...
17 Mar 2009 13:33:56
Goal.com
According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mail, Premier League club West Ham United may miss out on transfer target Juan Camilo Zuniga at the end of the season. The 23-year-old right-back has impressed since signing for Serie A strugglers Siena from Colombian team Atletico Nacional last summer. Apparently, the Colombian international, who has won three caps to date, is being tracked by Italian sides Milan, Fiorentina and Palermo as well as Primera Division outfit Sevilla. However, it is claimed that the interest of Bundesliga club Schalke are pricing the Hammers out of a move for the pacy 5ft 7in full-back as they are prepared to offer up to €8 million (£7.5m) with their Brazilian right-back Rafinha likely to leave for Juventus or Bayern Munich. "It is nice to see in the newspapers my name linked to the big clubs in Italy and abroad," Zuniga is quoted as saying.
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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West Ham ready to fight Warnock in Tevez affair
Ken Dyer and Ben Hunt
17.03.09
Evening Standard
West Ham will vigorously defend any legal action taken by Neil Warnock over the Carlos Tevez affair. The former Sheffield United boss confirmed today that he is considering launching a private claim for compensation against the Hammers. Warnock, now in charge at Crystal Palace, believes that the out-of-court settlement reached between West Ham and the Blades yesterday allows him to launch his own action. The 60-year-old feels he would still be managing in the Premier League if it had not been for the part Tevez played in keeping West Ham in the top flight in 2007. It is also understood that some former Sheffield United players are considering suing for lost bonuses but Hammers officials are confident that they can rebuff any action because they believe the original independent FA arbitration panel ruling against West Ham last year did not allow for any individual claims. Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who was at last night's goalless draw with West Brom, had hoped the £15million out-of-court settlement would bring the saga to an end. But Warnock, a life-long Blades fan, will not let the matter drop. The current Palace boss said: "People have been criticised for taking it this far but all the while we were in the right. "There should have been action taken sooner but at least now there is an agreement between the two clubs. "You cannot put right the disappointment. I just think if it was a bigger club, it would have been dealt with at the time."
Warnock also renewed his attack on Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore today, calling for him to be sacked over his role in the affair. "I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore at the Premier League because Sheffield United was my dream job," Warnock told Sky Sports News. "I find it amazing that Richard Scudamore is still in a job at the Premier League. I just find it amazing. "I think all along if the facts were known it would have been dealt with sooner. It's nice to be able to justify it now the facts have been made."
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Neil Warnock considering legal action against West Ham United
The Times
Nick Szczepanik
Neil Warnock is pleased that Sheffield United have won compensation from West Ham United over their relegation from the Premier League in 2007, but is still contemplating legal action on his own account.
Warnock, now in charge of Crystal Palace, was Sheffield United manager when they went down. West Ham stayed up, thanks largely to the goals of Carlos Tevez, who was playing despite a breach of rules on third-party ownership, but although the London club were fined, they did not suffer a points deduction that could have relegated them and kept Sheffield United up.
The two clubs finally agreed compensation estimated at £15 million on Monday, but Warnock may still take matters farther. "I am pleased it's finalised because we knew all along we were in the right," Warnock said. "There should have been action sooner but at least now it can be put to bed between the two clubs.
"If it had been a bigger club it would have been dealt with at the time and it wouldn't have been brushed under the carpet. I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore [the Premier League chief executive] and the Premier League because it was my dream job as well. I wanted to get this out of the way first and then I would look at it. I will be taking legal advice myself."
Warnock, a lifelong Sheffield United supporter, had realised a long-held ambition in taking the club up in 2006, but left the club shortly after their relegation in May 2007. His team had lost 2-1 at home to Wigan Athletic on the final day of the season while West Ham secured an improbable 1-0 victory away to Manchester United – Tevez scoring the last of his seven goals for the club, which had been worth a total of six points. West Ham finished three points ahead of Sheffield United, with an inferior goal difference.
"I just feel very bitter than I am not a Premier league manager still," Warnock said. "If you only knew how much hard work it was in the seven years to get the team up to the Premier League, it was a bitter disappointment knowing Tevez shouldn't have been in the team the last few weeks.
"You are going to get stick and we have been slaughtered in the London press, especially. But justice in England is the major thing and it would have been easy to brush Sheffield United aside. We have wanted the truth to come out all the way along the line. When wrongs have been done against you, you fight for your cause.
"I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premier League status. I think we could have been an established Premier League side and we had high hopes of taking the club forward, spending money in our first summer to keep us up. Even West Ham fans know; if you ask them why they stayed up, there is only one word - and that is 'Tevez'."
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London Football: Palace boss Neil Warnock may sue West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Londonpaper.com
NEIL WARNOCK has launched an attack on Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and is considering legal action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair. The Hammers confirmed they had agreed a settlement – believed to be around £15m – with relegated Sheffield United after breaking rules over the signing of the striker. The Premier League failed to dock West Ham points which would have kept the Blades in the top flight. And former Sheffield boss Warnock has declared war on both the Premier League and the Hammers. He said: "I think Scudamore is an absolute disgrace. I'd love to get him in a room on my own for an hour, no holds barred. I find it amazing that he has kept his job." Warnock resigned at Bramall Lane after relegation two years ago. He has now threatened to sue West Ham for loss of earnings – and warned that his former players could do the same. He said: "I'll be looking into this now. I just wanted to see the club's case out of the way first. "I should still be a Premier League manager. And I think the players have a case too."
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TEAMtalk Tirade: Get a grip, Warnock
teamTalk
TEAMtalk editor Simon Wilkes feels Neil Warnock needs to take a reality check after claiming he 'should still be a Premier League manager'. When Monday's story broke about West Ham and Sheffield finally agreeing an out-of-court settlement over the Carlos Tevez affair, there was a collective sigh of relief - not only here at TEAMtalk Towers but around the country. That welcome feeling of closure didn't last long though. The saga had rumbled on since the end of the 2006-07 season, which saw the Blades lose their Premier League status after a shocking end to their campaign tallied with a West Ham resurgence sparked in the main by Tevez. According to reports, United have been compensated to the tune of £15million, with another £10million on the way in future years. Add that to the £5.5million fine handed out to the Irons, and it's fair to say the EastEnders have paid the price for the soap drama surrounding how they brought Argentinian pair Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park. But no, Neil Warnock has decided to hog the headlines once again and says he is now considering suing the Hammers, under the claim that he "should still be a Premier League manager". Well hang on a minute, mate, you were a top-flight gaffer in 2007 and didn't cut the mustard over the entire season, took the Blades down and then walked away from the club. At one point in the 2006-07 season, the Hammers were 10 points from safety and things were looking bleak for them when a 4-0 hammering by Charlton was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking 4-3 home defeat to Spurs. A mini West Ham revival, which saw them win three on the spin against Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Arsenal, came to a shuddering halt at Bramall Lane, where Warnock's Blades cut the visitors to shreds in a 3-0 victory. That should've been job done for the Steel City outfit, but just four points were picked up from the final five games of the season, compared to West Ham's impressive haul of 12 points from 15 available.
Tevez played a starring role in two of four consecutive wins but it was by no means a one-man show, and the Hammers were only given a glimmer of hope by United's dismal slump in form.
Warnock not only believes he is entitled to compensation, but also argues that his players have a case as well. The fact of the matter is that if they'd been good enough to stay in the Premier League, they would've done so no matter what West Ham did. They were in a strong position to survive and choked when it really mattered, winning just two of their last 11 games and losing seven. So please let it go Mr Warnock, as Crystal Palace's mid-table obscurity in the Championship suggests you should not be a Premier League manager.
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Olsson in the clear over Green clash
Ananova.co.uk
West Brom centre-back Jonas Olsson has escaped Football Association punishment following a clash which left West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green requiring smelling salts.
Green was caught by Olsson's elbow during Monday night's stalemate at Upton Park but referee Mark Halsey looked at the incident again and told the FA he would not have given a red card. Hammers goalkeeper Green needed lengthy treatment and bit a small part of his tongue off after attempting to claim a cross which was headed against the crossbar by Shelton Martis.
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