BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 18:14 GMT, Wednesday, 25 May 2011 19:14 UK
West Ham have reported Sunderland to the Premier League for an illegal
approach for striker Demba Ba. The Hammers believe the Black Cats have
contacted Ba, who is still under contract at Upton Park, about a move north,
without their consent. Sunderland have denied that they have approached the
Senegal international.
The Premier League has said it has received a complaint from West Ham and
will investigate the matter to see "if there is a case to answer". A
Sunderland spokesman said: "Sunderland AFC is fully aware of the Premier
League regulations pertaining to player recruitment. "If we are interested
in any player currently under contract with another club, we will speak
directly to that club, in line with the regulations."
Premier League regulations state that a club cannot approach a contracted
player at another club, directly or indirectly, without written consent. Ba
is among a group of West Ham players whose futures look to lie away from
Upton Park, following the club's relegation from the Premier League. The
26-year-old, who scored seven goals for West Ham, has been linked to a
number of Premier League clubs after impressing since his move from German
club Hoffenheim in January.
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Ba-d form: Sunderland accused of illegal approach
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 25th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are understood to have made an official complaint regarding an
illegal approach from Sunderland for striker Demba Ba. The reason for
United's complaint is as yet unknown, however Sunderland boss Steve Bruce
admitted during his post-match press conference at the Boleyn last Sunday
that he was interested in signing the Senegalese front man. When asked by a
journalist to confirm Sunderland's interest in Ba following the Black Cats'
3-0 victory, Bruce replied: "Sorry? Can I confirm my interest in Demba Ba?
I'm skint as a brick! I think I've been linked with 50 players. "My job is
to go and knock on the owners door again and keep improving us. I'll see
what we've got and what we've got to spend and hopefully improve the squad,
which we need to. But he's one that we're looking at."
Ba is one of two senior players - the other being German midfielder Thomas
Hitzlsperger - to have been offered new contracts by the club in the last
week. News of West Ham's complaint was met by a stern rebuffal from
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn, who this afternoon denied any wrongdoing.
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Another Abject Performance, as a Twist Emerges on Hitzlsperger and
Ancelotti!
May 26th, 2011 - 3:39 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Online
I really do not wish to comment much on another abject team performance last
Sunday. All the same faults were apparent that conspired to condemn us to
relegation. I thought that the team came out and passed the ball really
well, but there was no end product and the same old defensive problems
resulted in an embarrassing 0-3 defeat. I have experienced relegation from
the top tier five times since 1978 and this one is probably the most gutless
and demoralising of the lot. At least on previous occasions, such as 1989
and 2003 they went down fighting, unlike this incompetent, gutless, clueless
episode! Anyway, enough said on that, lets try to look to the future.
The board need to get the right manager in place and there is a hell of a
lot of work to be done over the summer and pre-season to get us in a shape
to achieve automatic promotion. It is going to be challenging, but not
impossible for the right manager. The new name to have recently emerged is
Alex McLeish, who is a former appointee of Gold and Sullivan at Birmingham
City. With Brum's last day fall from the PL, it was inevitable that the
link would be made by the media. However, it now appears to be a
non-starter with Brum's subsequent confirmation that McLeish will remain
their manager next season.
Undoubtedly, the most intriguing 'link' is to Ancelotti, after his rather
unfair dismissal from Chelski. It has been alleged that Chelski may have a
clause in his contract that, in the event of dismissal, he cannot take up
another PL managerial position for the following season! If so, and
Ancelotti wishes to stay in England, the West Ham link makes some sort of
sense. Perhaps he wants to continue manging in this country, rather than
just seeing his year out on his pay off from Chelski or moving abroad?
Alternatively, it is a 'non-story' and, in reality, a complete non-starter,
which seems far more likely to be honest.
However, Sullivan's statement that a British manager would be recruited
appears to rule him out anyway (if nothing else does!). Or could there be a
rapid change of heart if such a top class managerial appointment became
possible? Its all conjecture at the moment, and I am sure that Ancelotti
will have plenty of offers from Serie A to return home, but I thought that
it was an interesting (if unlikely) moot point. Putting aside our
incredulity for a moment, how would Mr Ancelotti cope with Championship
football? Would his knowledge of players at that level be sufficient for
our needs or would he need assistance on that front? How would he deal with
the peculiar difficulties of managing at West Ham Utd FC, under the current
regime? Ancelotti, the Champions League and English double PL and FA Cup
winning manager, taking the reins at relegated West Ham Utd FC. What an
intriguing and out of left field prospect!
Then back down to earth, with a mighty bump, SSN reckon that Dave Jones is
the man that Gold and Sullivan want for next season. I tend to hope that
this is not the case. Jones will keep us afloat in the Championship and
will probably get us there or there abouts, in the top half of the
Championship table, but is he going to win us automatic promotion? I, like
the majority of Hammers fans, remain to be convinced of that score. David
Gold has since confirmed that no approach has been made to Cardiff City
about acquiring Jones' services. At the same time, Martin O'Neill has now
settled his dispute with Aston Villa and that will no doubt result in an
approach from West Ham. Whether that approach will ultimately be successful
remains to be seen? To stand any chance, the West Ham board need to give
O'Neill assurances about his control over the football side of affairs,
financial support and keeping public statements about management and squad
issues under control.
Regardless, it has now emerged that Hitzlsperger and Ba have been offered
new deals to stay at West Ham next season. Rumour has it that there will
also be an improved contract offer to Robert Green shortly, although another
has him preparing to talk to Villa in the next week or so. What a boost it
would be if two of those three could be persuaded to give us a year to get
back in to the PL. Even if Scott Parker leaves, which looks very likely,
it would definitely improve our chance of automatic promotion. I have been
consistently arguing that we needed to try to convince at least two of our
experienced stars to stay. And Sullivan and Gold appear to be trying to do
just that. The good news is that there are reports emerging that Thomas
Hitzlsperger may agree to stay next season. They state that Hitzlsperger
feels, after his long injury absence, that he owes West Ham a full season.
That would seem to fit in with what he know of Thomas Hitzlsperger, who
comes across as both an intelligent and principled fellow. A bit of a rarity
in the modern game!
While Ba could possibly be open to persuasion if the terms are right. It is
clear that West Ham have prioritised retaining Ba, hence their complaint to
the PL about an alleged illegal approach by Sunderland. The Sunderland
Manager has followed up his provocative statement that last Sunday's match
was effectively a 'scouting mission,' by openly admitting his interest in
Ba. That is not acceptable under PL rules. Although Spurs have done
exactly the same thing with regard to their interest in Scott Parker, yet
West Ham have not complained about that!
Another report alleges that Stoke City are interested in signing free agent
Victor Obinna. That's an interesting link, one wonders how Obinna would get
on with Stoke City's particular playing style. He would certainly need to
pull his weight in a Tony Pullis side (and possibly learn to head the
ball!!). However, a lot of our players are being linked with Stoke City, so
far the count includes Cole, Ba, Collison, Noble and, now, Obinna. Even if
there are offers forthcoming, I would advise any available Hammers players
to stay well clear of that crew! And the board must place that embargo
publicly on the sale of Collison, Noble, Tomkins, etc. That is imperative!
I see that Watford's Danny Graham has attracted at £2.5m bid from QPR. That
is a player that should should be considering, a centre forward that got 25
goals in the Championship in the past season. Another is Shane Long, whose
future is likely to be decided by the Championship play off final.
Personally, I have a feeling that it could be Swansea's year to enter the PL
land of milk and honey! If so, then Shane Long could become a realistic
target if we move swiftly after the play off final. Regardless, any such
moves are dependent upon the forthcoming managerial appointment, but that is
the way in which we need to proceed, bag one or two 20 plus goals a season
strikers, who are proven at that level, but also young and promising enough
to potentially make a successful transition to PL football. Another name
linked with us is Jay Boothroyd, who is apparently available this summer on
a free transfer. He can certainly perform well at Championship level, but
we will have to wait and see?
Anyway, these are some of the more intriguing links, real or imaginary,
doing the rounds at the moment. The Sunderland match was a depressing
climax to a terrible season. Lets hope that we can get a good managerial
appointment soon and start looking forward to being more positive about
promotion next season. I know it seems difficult to envisage now, but
Newcastle Utd bounced back and so can we. We just need to pray that the
co-owners understand that decimating the squad may generate initial funds,
but will also undermine their chances of getting back on the PL gravy train.
Personally, I feel that they must bank roll a concerted promotion push next
season, after all they have a awful lot riding on it. I have concerns at
the way that the club is being run, and the consequences for the reputation
of the club, but I do not accept the conspiracy theory that says that
relegation was purposely sought by the board. Critique of the way that the
club is being run can be both constructive and productive, but ultimately
we need to avoid lapsing in to obsession.
Finally, we also need to await the outcome of the negotiation with Tony
Fernandez. His investment in the remaining c. 38% stake in the club could
bring greater stability, hopefully by taking the remaining Icelandic
interests out of the equation, and generating additional funds. It might
even have a positive influence on the current board, having a new
personality like Fernandez involved, with a different business style and
approach. Lets hope that it happens soon, although no doubt neither side is
likely to stay roll over and it could prove to be a tough and protracted
negotiation.
If it does not happen, what about Mittal? If he fails to achieve a buy out
at QPR, he could do lot worse than to sell his stake in QPR and transfer
his investment from west to east London. Now Mittal would certainly have
the serious wealth to buy out the current owners, pay down the debt and
invest in the playing staff. Yet another intriguing, if unlikely,
proposition!
SJ. Chandos.
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Black Cats deny Ba tap-up
Published: 25 May 2011
The Sun
SUNDERLAND have denied tapping up West Ham striker Demba Ba after being
reported to the Premier League by the Hammers. A Premier League spokesperson
confirmed that they are looking into an alleged illegal approach. They said:
"We have received a letter from West Ham United. We will look into their
complaint to see if there is a case to answer." But the Black Cats insists
they are innocent and would seek permission from any club they were looking
to buy from. A statement from the club read: "Sunderland AFC is fully aware
of the Premier League regulations pertaining to player recruitment. "If we
are interested in any player currently under contract with another club, we
will speak directly to that club, in line with the regulations."
Ba, 26, scored seven goals in the Hammers' failed bid to avoid the drop
following a January move from German club Hoffenheim.
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Gold denies Hammers bid
Published: 25 May 2011
The Sun
WEST HAM co-owner David Gold maintains the club have not approached Cardiff
boss Dave Jones. The Irons sacked Avram Grant after they were relegated from
the Premier League. Reports had suggested they would now move for Jones,
with the Bluebirds having lost in the Championship play-offs. However, Gold
said on Twitter: "Despite what you may have read in the papers, we have not
spoken to Dave Jones." The 54-year-old former Wolves boss also appeared to
rule himself out of the running. Jones said: "I have not had any contact
with them over the job. "I am not prepared to say anything about the
vacancy. I am still employed by Cardiff City and only thinking of them. "I
will be sitting down with the board at Cardiff and discussing my future with
them soon."
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ASTON VILLA WILL HIT WEST HAM WITH A £500K BID
26th May 2011 By Peter White
Dailyu Star
WEST HAM are set to further slash their wage bill by selling Thomas
Hitzlsperger back to Aston Villa. Hitzlsperger joined the Irons from Serie A
side Lazio last summer on a three-year deal as ex-boss Avram Grant's first
signing. But the German midfielder, 29, who has 52 caps, suffered a serious
thigh injury days before the season began and was sidelined until February.
Despite scoring on his debut, Hitzlsperger, nicknamed the Hammer, failed to
save West Ham from the drop. Hitzlsperger is poised to rejoin Villa in a
cut-price deal for around £500,000. He signed for Villa from Bayern Munich
in 2000 and played more than 100 games. And he will be the latest big name
to leave Upton Park after Matthew Upson and Kieron Dyer were told they are
no longer wanted.
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ARSENAL PULL OUT OVER SCOTT PARKER
26th May 2011 By David Woods
Daily Star
ARSENAL have pulled out of the running for Scott Parker and now want French
league superkid Eden Hazard. Starsport revealed how Arsene Wenger targeted
Parker after West Ham's relegation. But the player's recent injury problems
made the Arsenal boss back off, particularly as Tottenham and Liverpool's
interest could push the price up. Instead, he has turned to Lille's Belgium
international Hazard, 20, who is France's Footballer of the Year following
his club's title success. He is an attacking midfielder who Lille value at
around £30m. Wenger may also bid for Aston Villa's England winger Stewart
Downing. He knows fans want to see English talent at the club and they will
be upset at him backing off Parker
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