Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 18th May 2007

Stats show Lucas is top Hammer - WHUFC
17/05/2007 11:33

The season's over and the stats are in! The Actim Index - the Official
Player Ratings of the Barclays Premiership - has revealed that Australian
international defender Lucas Neill is The Hammers' Actim Player of the
Season 2006/2007.

Lucas, who finished 81st in the final Index, is West Ham United's highest
ranked player in the Index this season with 355 points. He has contributed
14 shots, 101 tackles, 40 clearances, 45 interceptions, nine blocks, nine
dribbles, 261 passes, 39 crosses and five assists in 2,881 minutes of
football.

Other West Ham United players who have also ranked highly in the Actim Index
during the 2006/07 season are Bobby Zamora (86th), Anton Ferdinand (117th),
Nigel Reo Coker (120th) and Robert Green (126th).

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez finished the season in 222nd position after
playing 1,789 minutes of Premiership football.

The Actim Index is calculated using a unique mathematical formula that rates
each player's contribution be it goals, shots, passes, dribbles, tackles,
crosses, saves, clearances, blocks, interceptions, time on the pitch or
number of points gained by the team with marks deducted for red and yellow
cards. Two additional calculations, which take account of player assists and
goalkeeper's clean sheets, have been added this season to increase the
amount of variables a player is now measured by.

Analysis of all Premiership games has taken place throughout the league
campaign and the top five West Ham United players in the Actim Index this
season are:

Lucas Neill 26th Highest Ranked Defender
Bobby Zamora 22nd Highest Ranked Striker
Anton Ferdinand 36th Highest Ranked Defender
Nigel Reo-Coker 35th Highest Ranked Midfielder
Robert Green 16th Highest Ranked Goalkeeper

Actim Stats also revealed that after 38 Premiership games this season the
following players are the Hammers' highest achievers in six areas of play:
completed passes, completed crosses, dribbles, tackles won, blocks made and
most assists.

Top Passer Nigel Reo-Coker Midfielder
Top Crosser Matthew Etherington Midfielder
Top Dribbler Nigel Reo-Coker Midfielder
Top Tackler Nigel Reo-Coker Midfielder
Top Blocker Anton Ferdinand Defender
Most Assists Lucas Neill Defender

The list of the Top 100 players and Top 5 players by position will be
available free of charge from the Actim website which will be updated during
the football season every Tuesday for the Barclays Premiership and every
Thursday for The Coca-Cola Championship.

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Whelan demands league chiefs quit - BBC

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says Premier League chief executive Richard
Scudamore should consider quitting in the wake of the West Ham controversy.
Whelan believes the league should have cancelled Carlos Tevez's registration
after the Hammers were found guilty of breaking rules over his signing. In a
letter to the League, Whelan accused Scudamore and chairman Dave Richards of
a "dereliction of duties". He added: "The pair of you should consider
resigning."
West Ham were found guilty of breaching two Premier League rules when they
signed Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano - who moved to Liverpool
in January. An independent commission fined the club £5.5m and told the
Premier League it could terminate Tevez's registration. But West Ham assured
the Premier League they had ripped up the offending contract with
third-party company MSI/JSI and Tevez was allowed to play the following day
- in a 3-0 win over Wigan. Whelan, who has also sent his letter to the 19
other Premier League clubs, claims the decision to allow Tevez to play on
was taken in a telephone conversation. He said: "I would like to once again
ask the question in my email of 11 May, did you actually receive a copy of
the documentation from West Ham which showed that the original agreement
between West Ham and MSI/JSI had been cancelled? "The judgment given by the
independent panel ordered that the registration of Tevez could be terminated
by the Premier League. "You then proceeded to hold a board meeting by
telephone between yourself, the chairman and the secretary. "I am appalled
that the chairman would allow such an important decision to be made on the
basis of a telephone call. "Surely a decision of this magnitude required an
open and full discussion. "You had been ordered by the chairman of the
commission to seriously consider the termination of this contract. "Your
failure to do so in my mind is a dereliction of duties of both the chairman
and yourself and you should consider resigning."

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Eidur rumours untrue, says Eggert - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 17th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Eggert Magnusson has dismissed rumours that West Ham United are seeking to
sign Barcelona's Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. One of the first
transfer stories to emerge since West Ham secured their Premiership status
last weekend concerned a supposed bid by United for the former Chelsea
player, who is thought to be unsettled in Spain. But Magnusson, speaking to
Icelandic paper Morgunbladid today denied that any discussion with view to a
bid had taken place. "These stories are not true," he said. "I have not
talked to Eidur and his name has not come out during our discussions of new
players. "As soon as the transfer window opens the stories will intensify
and more often it is the agents talking their players up. "I am not saying
that is what is happening with Eidur but I think these stories are popping
up because West Ham has Icelandic ownership. "As far as I know Eidur has a
long term contract with Barcelona and he is the type of player who will get
stronger when the going gets tough."
And Magnusson also revealed that he was looking forward to seeing one new
striker - for him, at least - already on West Ham's books; one Dean Ashton,
who is expected to return to full training in the next few weeks. "We have a
phenominal player in Dean who didn't play last season because of injury," he
added, "but he will be ready and roaring to go next season. "He is an
outstanding player and its annoying how the media tends to forget that he
actually exists. How can they forget such a player?"

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Tevez: yours for £40m - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 17th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

West Ham United have been told they can buy Carlos Tevez outright - for a
fee in the region of £40m. That is according to the Daily Mail, who spoke
with Tevez's agent/owner Kia Joorabchian last night. Joorabchian - who lost
out in the race for United to Eggert Magnuson's Icelandic consortium last
November - also revealed that recent reports of bids for Tevez from one or
two European giants were false. "We haven't held talks with any club,
contrary to what you might have read," he said. "This morning it was Inter
Milan, the other day it was Real Madrid - but these stories are the work of
fiction. "West Ham's board have to decide what their intentions are. Maybe
they will think they want Carlos and build around him - or maybe they will
think that they can buy four or five great players for the money instead.
"[Carlos] has a great affection for the club — and the supporters. The
decision on his future is his. He has been very happy there."
Joorabchian also confirmed that Tevez's original contract had been torn up
as a result of the Premier League enquiry's initial findings; an issue at
the heart of Sheffield United's latest attack on the Premier League; today's
request for arbitration. "West Ham unilaterally terminated the agreement and
I have left it in the hands of my lawyer, Graham Shear, to deal with the
matter," Joorabchian declared. "But we did everything right. The proof is
in the pudding, because nobody at the Premier League asked for me to go
there and give evidence [at the hearing]. They knew that we had behaved
correctly. We used top lawyers, top accountants. "We made sure everything
was done, We've been involved in many other deals and didn't have a single
problem. It wasn't a shady transfer. It wasn't a controversial transfer. It
wasn't a strange transfer. "It has been said of the old administration at
West Ham that they had not presented the correct documents to the Premier
League. I don't know, but whatever happened I'm sure could have been
repaired to prevent all this controversy. "What I am very upset about — and
sad about — is that Carlos has been dragged into this affair, when he has
nothing to do with it."

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Scudamore makes Whelan call - Sky
By Chris Stanton - Created on 17 May 2007

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has hit back at Dave Whelan
for the Wigan chairman's suggestion he should resign over the Carlos Tevez
affair. Scudamore telephoned Whelan after The Latics supremo made what
amounted to a personal attack on Scudamore, as well as Premier League
chairman Sir Dave Richards, via e-mail. The 20 Premiership clubs were also
recipients of the email and a Premier League spokesman revealed Scudamore
was keen to get relations back on a more cordial footing. "The Premier
League board and Mr Whelan have spoken today and both parties have agreed to
continue their discussions in a manner more appropriate to league business,"
said the spokesman. "As such Mr Whelan has agreed to submit his remaining
questions of the board in full and in writing. The board will respond in due
course."
Whelan has led the call for the Premier League to re-examine the severity of
the punishment meted out to The Hammers for transfer irregularities,
regarding Tevez. The Wigan man believes West Ham were let off the hook with
only a fine, rather than a points deduction that could ultimately have led
to their relegation.

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Mawhinney quiet on Tevez affair - Sky
By James Pearson - Created on 17 May 2007

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney is letting the Premier League deal
with the Carlos Tevez row. Sheffield United are unhappy Carlos Tevez played
a key role in West Ham's survival, despite The Hammers breaking regulations
regarding his registration. When asked what Mawhinney thought of the row and
The Blades' proposal of a 21-team Premiership, he distanced himself from
getting involved. "As chairman of the Football League it's got nothing to
do with us. It's a matter for the Premier League, they're handling it," he
told Sky Sports News. "Do I have confidence in the people who are running
the Premier League? Of course I do. But it's not our issue. "For
four-and-a-half years I've made it a point of not interfering in what
happens in the Premier League. Thank you for the invite, but I'm not going
to start now. "We will wait to receive from the Premier League the three
teams that come down. We will make them very welcome. "We will embrace them
as part of the Football League family while always understanding that they
will want to get back to the Premier League as quickly as they can."

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Scudamore holds showdown Tevez talks with Whelan - Soccernet

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has held showdown talks
with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan after the sportswear supremo called on him
to resign over the Carlos Tevez affair. Scudamore phoned Whelan today in
response to an email from the Wigan chairman saying he and Premier League
chairman Sir Dave Richards should consider resigning 'over a dereliction of
duty'. The personal nature of the attack marked a new development in the row
over West Ham, but Scudamore told Whelan he had got the wrong end of the
stick. A Premier League spokesman said: 'The Premier League board and Mr
Whelan have spoken today and both parties have agreed to continue their
discussions in a manner more appropriate to League business. 'As such Mr
Whelan has agreed to submit his remaining questions of the board in full and
in writing. The board will respond in due course.'
The row is over an independent commission's decision to fine West Ham
£5.5million rather than dock the club points for signing third-party
agreements in contravention of league rules. In the email to Scudamore and
all the other top-flight clubs, Whelan stated: 'You had been ordered by the
chairman of the commission to seriously consider the termination of this
contract. 'Your failure to do so in my mind is a dereliction of the duties
of both the chairman and yourself and the pair of you should consider
resigning.'
It is understood Scudamore told Whelan that the commission had not ordered
them to consider terminating Tevez's registration, but stated the league had
the power to do so if they felt the third-party agreements had not been
ended. The league however were satisfied that West Ham did end those
agreements on April 27. Scudamore and the league's lawyers are still
discussing how to respond to Sheffield United's claim for the dispute to go
an arbitration panel.
Meanwhile, sports minister Richard Caborn has reiterated his call for all
parties to settle the row out of court. It is understood that Caborn has
been approached by both sides and advised them to try to find a solution
that does not involve a judge's ruling. Caborn said: 'What I had said is
that all parties need to make every endeavour to make sure this is settled
outside of the courts.'

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MSI deny 'shady' Tevez transfer - TeamTalk

Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian insists there was nothing "shady" about
Carlos Tevez's controversial transfer to West Ham. Joorabchian's MSI group
took the Argentine striker to Upton Park last August, but the deal has
created a storm in the Premiership. The Hammers were fined £5.5million
regarding the move, while Sheffield United have launched legal action after
Tevez's goals kept the club in the top flight. But Joorabchian is at pains
to stress there was nothing underhand in the transfer and that it was simply
the same as a player moving between clubs on loan. "It was a situation
similar to Alex Song going to Charlton, or Tim Howard to Everton, or Glen
Johnson to Portsmouth," Joorabchian told the Daily Mail. "We did everything
right. The proof is in the pudding because nobody at the Premier League
asked for me to go there and give evidence. They knew that we had behaved
correctly. "We used top lawyers, top accountants. We made sure everything
was done. We've been involved in many other deals and didn't have a single
problem. "It wasn't a shady transfer. It wasn't a controversial transfer. It
wasn't a strange transfer. "It has been said of the old administration at
West Ham that they had not presented the correct documents to the Premier
League. I don't know, but whatever happened I'm sure could have been
repaired to prevent all this controversy."

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Whelan: I will not back down - teamTalk
By David Bond
Last Updated: 1:04am BST 18/05/2007

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore held peace talks with the
Wigan chairman David Whelan yesterday in another attempt to head off the
growing revolt over the Carlos Tevez controversy. In a dramatic escalation
in the dispute, Whelan wrote to Scudamore and League chairman Sir David
Richards on Wednesday calling for them to resign over their handling of the
Tevez case. Whelan claimed the League's two most senior figures were guilty
of a "dereliction of duty" following their decision to allow the Argentina
striker to carry on playing for West Ham even though they admitted breaking
rules on third-party ownership. Scudamore rejected calls for him to consider
his pos-ition and, in a telephone conversation yesterday, appealed to Whelan
to tone down public attacks on him and the League. But Wigan sources said
that, while Whelan was prepared to conduct negotiations on the dispute in
private, he would not back down: "There has been no softening in the
chairman's position. He is still very angry and wants answers to the
questions he has repeatedly been asking."
In a thinly veiled attack on Whelan's outspoken style, a League spokesman
said: "The Premier League board and Mr Whelan have spoken today and both
parties have agreed to continue their discussions in a manner more
appropriate to League business. "As such Mr Whelan has agreed to submit his
remaining questions of the board in full and in writing. The board will
respond in due course."
Even that is understood to have irritated Whelan, with Wigan claiming he
only went public after Scudamore failed to provide proof that Tevez's
contract was terminated after the April 27 decision to fine West Ham
£5.5million. Whelan is questioning how the League can be sure the
third-party agreements with the two offshore companies which own Tevez were
cancelled. Kia Joorabchian, the Anglo-Iranian businessman who controls the
player, said yest-erday that he was considering legal action after West
Ham's decision to rip up the deal. Scudamore told Whelan that he had
mistakenly interpreted the independent commission's ruling. In a separate
development, Scudamore and the League's lawyers have been given until
tomorrow by relegated Sheffield United to set up an arbitration panel to
reconsider the commission's original decision.

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Hammers horror gave Magnusson his belief - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 1:04am BST 18/05/2007

Eggert Magnusson can remember the moment he knew West Ham would escape
relegation from the Premiership but it wasn't following the final whistle at
Old Trafford last Sunday. Bizarrely, it was after a game that looked like
the most shattering defeat of an unbelievable season.The date was Sunday
March 4 and Tottenham had just beaten Alan Curbishley's side in a game which
proved as difficult to pin down as Jose Mourinho's dog. Twice Spurs had come
from behind to level at Upton Park before Paul Stalteri scored an
injury-time winner to earn an unthinkable 4-3 triumph.

Up in the directors' box the 60-year-old Magnusson could not bear to watch.
At the final whistle, Sky's cameras focused on him as he drew a hand slowly
across his eyes, before parting his fingers to peek at his devastated
players on the pitch below. At that point most people would have accepted
the game was up. West Ham were rock bottom of the table without a win since
mid- December.

But the club's Icelandic chairman says he never lost the faith. And he is
convinced that the game against Tottenham proved the turning point in one of
the Premier League's most thrilling and dramatic story-lines. "The Tottenham
game was a hard blow for us," said Magnusson yesterday. "But we played good
football and didn't deserve to lose. That game, in a way, set the tone for
the rest of the season. Football is so much about confidence and once you
lose that it goes downhill and it's hard to build it up again. But that
game, strangely, gave everyone a lift."

For a man who has just watched his club escape relegation by the skin of
their teeth, Magnusson does not wear the demeanour of a man who has just
pulled off one of the greatest escapes in the game's history. He is smiling
but his characteristic effervescence is missing as he walks into the West
Ham boardroom. To be frank, he looks shattered. And who would be surprised?
Since becoming chairman in the autumn, following a protracted £108 million
takeover battle for the club, Magnusson has experienced nearly every emotion
the game has to offer.

Besides events on the pitch there have been gambling scandals, players going
AWOL in America and, of course, the ongoing row over Carlos Tevez, which
resulted in West Ham being hit with a record breaking £5.5 million fine last
month for breaking rules on third-party ownership.

The dispute between the Premier League and the 'gang of four' looks set to
rumble on into the summer, but, as far as Magnusson is concerned, last
Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford was the final word.

So, how did it feel to know his team were safe, after the final whistle? "I
was like a deflated balloon," he said. "I was very happy. More happy than I
can describe. But at the same time, it took all the wind out of me. I never
gave up the hope. But for sure there had been so many things happening since
I came here. There seemed to be a new problem every day. On Sunday night
when I got home I was almost speechless. I could only think about how happy
I was for the team, the manager and the fans.

"I have been all the time optimistic, but of course, I had my darker
moments. But then you give yourself a kick and don't think this way. You
have to have faith.

"I have enjoyed it all enormously. The experiences I have had over the last
few months, I wouldn't have missed them for anything in the world."

Having put his own emotions through the wringer, Magnusson must have a sense
of what Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe and former manager Neil
Warnock felt when they were sent down by their defeat against Wigan on
Sunday. But, with so much rancour around, Magnusson says he hasn't contacted
anyone at Sheffield to offer his sympathies.

He said: "I have not called anyone at Sheffield. It's difficult. But I feel
for them. It's difficult to go down. But I feel some things that have been
said about this great club are unjustified."

Magnusson is clearly angry at the way West Ham have become, to borrow
Curbishley's expression, 'public enemy No 1'. He feels a number of people in
the game have overstepped the mark with their criticism of the club.

But, for now, he is keeping his head down and waiting for the dust to
settle. He believes the dispute with Wigan, Charlton, Fulham and Sheffield
United over the handling of the Tevez case is a matter for the Premier
League. In the meantime, he is getting on with planning for next season. He
held a meeting with Curbishley on Wednesday and will sit down with him after
he returns from a break in Florida next week to discuss what will be a busy
summer of restructuring.

The first item on the agenda is certain to be the future of Tevez, although
he says he has not yet held any meetings with his owner and agent Kia
Joorabchian, the man whose third-party agreements with the club landed them
at the centre of the storm.

Yesterday, Joorabchian, who at one stage was bidding against Magnusson to
buy the club, claimed in an interview that he and his offshore owners will
still be the financial beneficiaries if the Argentine striker moves from
Upton Park in the next few weeks.

Magnusson refuses to disclose whether the club still have an option to buy
the player, even though West Ham have terminated their agreements with the
two companies who own him, Media Sports Investments and Just Sport
Incorporated. He also declines to discuss what happened when those
agreements were ripped up following the April 27 ruling from the Premier
League's appointed commission. But he says there should be no question marks
over who holds his registration.

He said: "From my point of view both Tevez and [Javier] Mascherano were
registered correctly on Aug 31 and the registration of Tevez has been
correct from that date until the end of the season. There should be no
dispute. There have been all sorts of misinterpretations on this but
everyone agrees on this, including Fifa and the Premier League."

Despite the increasingly bitter dispute, Magnusson says he holds no grudges
against Joorabchian.

Magnusson said: "There hasn't been too much of a relationship between Kia
and myself. But I cannot hold him responsible for what happened here. He
probably didn't know anything about the fact that these third-party
agreements were not disclosed to the Premier League.

"When I took over the club, I had no idea until January that these
agreements had not been disclosed to the Premier League. I had no way of
knowing that, how would I? I am sure he didn't know anything about that. I
have no bitterness towards him, why should I?

"Sometime in the near future I hope to have a meeting with him. We will sit
down and discuss Tevez's future."

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Tevez out, Bellamy in - the Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
May 18, 2007

WEST HAM want Craig Bellamy to replace Carlos Tevez. Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley and chairman Eggert Magnusson feel signing the £8million-rated
Liverpool striker will prove the club's ambition following their narrow
escape from relegation. Magnusson, who aims to get the club into the
Champions League in three years' time, will pay the Wales star £60,000 a
week. Tevez, tipped for a £30m move to Real Madrid that will not earn West
Ham a penny, has returned to Argentina. Premier League chief executive
Richard Scudamore has told Wigan chairman Dave Whelan he got his facts wrong
over last month's inquiry into the Carlos Tevez deal. Whelan accused
Scudamore and League chairman Dave Richards of 'dereliction of duty' in
their handling of the Tevez affair and called for them to resign. He
believed the League had been ordered to terminate Tevez's contract by last
month's independent inquiry. And he did not feel the striker should have
been allowed to play in the Hammers' 3-0 win at the JJB Stadium. But
Scudamore phoned him to point out the inquiry simply gave the League powers
to terminate Tevez's contract if West Ham did not scrap an agreement with
Kia Joorabchian, the players' owner. That clause, allowing Joorabchian to
sell Tevez when he wanted, was immediately removed by West Ham. That was
why they were fined £5.5million by the League rather than having points
deducted.

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Hammers still want Benayoun - Haaretz.com
By Uzi Dann

West Ham is interested in retaining Yossi Benayoun, the team' told the
midfielder at a meeting yesterday. Benayoun has two years left on his
contract with the club. The Hammers offered Benayoun a five-year contract
with a significant raise. The midfielder and his agent Ronen Katzav are
leaning toward accepting the offer. The two sides are set to meet again next
week. Several English clubs including Tottenham, Portsmouth and Newcastle
have expressed interest in Benayoun, but since he is under contract, none
have conducted negotiations with him.

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League hits back against Whelan - The Times
James Ducker

Dave Whelan, the Wigan Athletic chairman, has been criticised after he
called on Richard Scudamore, the FA Premier League chief executive, to
resign in a letter to the Barclays Premiership clubs. Scudamore has
telephoned Whelan, who is unhappy that the League has not provided proof
that Carlos Tévez, the forward, was eligible to play for West Ham United.

"We [Whelan and the League] have agreed to continue discussions in a manner
more appropriate to League business," a Premier League spokesman said. "Mr
Whelan has agreed to submit his remaining questions of the board in full and
in writing."

David Unsworth's reward for keeping Wigan in the Premiership on the final
day of the season, by scoring the winning penalty in the 2-1 win away to
Sheffield United, was to be released yesterday as Chris Hutchings's first
move as manager was to wield the axe. Arjan de Zeeuw, the captain, was also
released.

"David did a brilliant job," the manager said. "His goal against Sheffield
United will live long in the memory and its significance can never be
underestimated. I wish him all the best for the future." Sheffield United
have confirmed that Bryan Robson, the former West Bromwich Albion and
Middlesbrough manager, is the front-runner to succeed Neil Warnock. As
revealed in The Timesyesterday, Robson is being primed to take over at
Bramall Lane and it is understood that preliminary talks have taken place.
Further discussions are scheduled for early next week, but other candidates
are being considered.

Terry Robinson, the football club chairman at Bramall Lane, said: "We are
looking for experience so Bryan Robson, Peter Reid and Dave Bassett would
fit the bill in many ways."

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Scudamore will speak to Whelan
Dominic Fifield
Friday May 18, 2007
The Guardian

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, has expressed a
willingness to discuss Dave Whelan's complaint about Carlos Tevez with the
Wigan chairman. The league's board is expected to inform relegated Sheffield
United next week whether it will enter arbitration in the dispute about the
West Ham player. Scudamore telephoned Whelan yesterday in response to an
email sent by the Latics chairman to the Premier League and its 19 other
member clubs which suggested that the chief executive (along with the
chairman, Dave Richards) should consider his position over a "dereliction of
duty".

"Mr Whelan has agreed to submit his remaining questions of the board in full
and in writing. The board will respond in due course," said a Premier League
spokesman. Whelan wants proof that West Ham have cancelled their third-party
agreement with Kia Joorabchian's Media Sports Investment, which owned Tevez,
after the Premier League independent commission fined the Hammers £5.5m but
did not deduct points. The board is adamant West Ham have proved the
agreement has been cancelled. Joorabchian indicated yesterday that the
contract had been "unilaterally terminated" on April 27.
"As far as West Ham are concerned there is no more to be said on this," said
a club spokesman.

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Rangers eyeing West Ham's Konchesky
tribalfooball.com - May 17, 2007

Rangers are planning a bid for West Ham United fullback Paul Konchesky. The
Herald says Gers boss Walter Smith plans to move for the England cap, who is
also interesting Aston Villa.

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West Ham to offer £7M for Liverpool's Bellamy
tribalfooball.com - May 17, 2007

West Ham United are chasing Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy - as a
replacement for Carlos Tevez. The Sun says Hammers boss Alan Curbishley and
chairman Eggert Magnusson feel signing the £8million-rated Liverpool striker
will prove the club's ambition following their narrow escape from
relegation. Magnusson, who aims to get the club into the Champions League in
three years' time, will pay the Wales star £60,000 a week. Tevez, tipped for
a £30m move to Real Madrid that will not earn West Ham a penny, has returned
to Argentina.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 17th May 2007

Tevez: yours for £40m - KUMB
Filed: Thursday, 17th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

West Ham United have been told they can buy Carlos Tevez outright - for a
fee in the region of £40m. That is according to the Daily Mail, who spoke
with Tevez's agent/owner Kia Joorabchian last night. Joorabchian - who lost
out in the race for United to Eggert Magnuson's Icelandic consortium last
November - also revealed that recent reports of bids for Tevez from one or
two European giants were false. "We haven't held talks with any club,
contrary to what you might have read," he said. "This morning it was Inter
Milan, the other day it was Real Madrid - but these stories are the work of
fiction. "West Ham's board have to decide what their intentions are. Maybe
they will think they want Carlos and build around him - or maybe they will
think that they can buy four or five great players for the money instead.
"[Carlos] has a great affection for the club — and the supporters. The
decision on his future is his. He has been very happy there."
Joorabchian also confirmed that Tevez's original contract had been torn up
as a result of the Premier League enquiry's initial findings; an issue at
the heart of Sheffield United's latest attack on the Premier League; today's
request for arbitration. "West Ham unilaterally terminated the agreement and
I have left it in the hands of my lawyer, Graham Shear, to deal with the
matter," Joorabchian declared. "But we did everything right. The proof is in
the pudding, because nobody at the Premier League asked for me to go there
and give evidence [at the hearing]. They knew that we had behaved correctly.
We used top lawyers, top accountants. "We made sure everything was done,
We've been involved in many other deals and didn't have a single problem. It
wasn't a shady transfer. It wasn't a controversial transfer. It wasn't a
strange transfer. "It has been said of the old administration at West Ham
that they had not presented the correct documents to the Premier League. I
don't know, but whatever happened I'm sure could have been repaired to
prevent all this controversy. "What I am very upset about — and sad about —
is that Carlos has been dragged into this affair, when he has nothing to do
with it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Blades launch legal action - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 16 May 2007

Sheffield United have begun arbitration proceedings against the Premier
League as a result of the Carlos Tevez transfer controversy, with plc
chairman Kevin McCabe now proposing that England's top flight comprises 21
teams next season.

Sheffield United's legal complaint in full

Following relegation, The Blades are bitterly angry at the failure to
penalise West Ham with a points deduction despite being found guilty of
irregularities in the August signings of Tevez and former Hammer Javier
Mascherano.

A so-called 'Gang of Four' - comprising The Blades, Charlton, Wigan and
Fulham - have been canvassing support from their fellow clubs and The Blades
have also written to MPs in a bid to generate support for their cause.

McCabe served arbitration procedure notice on the Premier League on
Wednesday to continue the crusade against the perceived injustice, and has
again threatened further legal action if the league fails to accept his
letter.

However, the Blades plc chairman has also proposed a scenario whereby
Sheffield United would be reinstated to the league without West Ham being
demoted, resulting in the Premiership housing 21 teams next season.

"We are still working towards debating matters with the Premier League, we
want to undo the wrong and the injustice of the decision," McCabe told the
club's official website.

"The events off the field of play have culminated in our arbitration
procedures.

"We have written to every MP, explaining the background of the injustice and
that it needs to be satisfied for the good of the sport.

"First and foremost we're doing everything to protect the interests of
United.

"Will the Premier League accept our arbitration letters? Litigation can be
pursued and, if it has to be pursued, we'll do it.

"It is up to the FA Premier League to find a way round this exceptional
circumstance where a club which has played by the rules has been relegated
at the expense of one club who have fielded ineligible players.

"The simple answer is why not have 21 clubs in the Premiership next season
and relegate four of them at the end. It is not my decision to make but it
seems like a very simple solution."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has indicated that the disaffected clubs will
seek to prove that West Ham's re-registration of Tevez outside the transfer
window - and following the independent commission's findings - was illegal.

However, the Premier League looks unlikely to bow to McCabe's attempts to
establish an arbitration panel, with a spokesman underlining the league's
belief that no laws have been broken in the controversial row.

"We followed our processes to the letter and we ensured to our satisfaction
that the third party arrangements in relation to Carlos Tevez's contract
have been terminated," said a Premier League spokesman.

"We are more than happy to meet with officials of Sheffield United or any
other aggrieved club to offer clarification and explanation of this and we
have written to all 20 clubs with a forensic explanation of the ruling."

Fifa has already pledged to investigate the row which is threatening to drag
the relegation issue out over the summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kia: Nothing shady in Tevez deal - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 17 May 2007

Kia Joorabchian insists there was nothing 'shady' about Carlos Tevez's
transfer to West Ham United. The Iranian businessman's MSI group took the
Argentine striker to Upton Park last August, but the deal has created a
storm in the Premiership. The Hammers were fined £5.5million regarding the
deal, while Sheffield United have launched legal action after Tevez's goals
kept the club in the top flight. But Joorabchian is at pains to stress there
was nothing underhand in the transfer and that it was simply the same as a
player moving between clubs on loan. "It was a situation similar to Alex
Song going to Charlton, or Tim Howard to Everton, or Glen Johnson to
Portsmouth," Joorabchian told the Daily Mail. "We did everything right. The
proof is in the pudding because nobody at the Premier League asked for me to
go there and give evidence. They knew that we had behaved correctly. "We
used top lawyers, top accountants. We made sure everything was done. We've
been involved in many other deals and didn't have a single problem. "It
wasn't a shady transfer. It wasn't a controversial transfer. It wasn't a
strange transfer. "It has been said of the old administration at West Ham
that they had not presented the correct documents to the Premier League. I
don't know, but whatever happened I'm sure could have been repaired to
prevent all this controversy."
Regarding Tevez's future at Upton Park, Joorabchian is adamant a decision
will be made by the club and the player, not MSI. He added: "West Ham's
board have to decide what their intentions are. Maybe they will think they
want Carlos and build around him. Or maybe they will think that, for the
money, they can buy four or five great players instead. "We haven't held
talks with any club, contrary to what you might have read. This morning it
was Inter Milan for £25m, the other day it was Real Madrid for £30m. These
stories are the work of fiction. "He has a great affection for the club and
the supporters. The decision on his future is his. He has been very happy
there."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League chiefs told to resign - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 3:35am BST 17/05/2007

Richard Scudamore and Sir David Richards, the chief executive and chairman
of the Premier League, last night faced calls to resign over their handling
of the Carlos Tevez controversy. As Sheffield United became the first member
of the 'gang of four' to file a legal claim against the League over the
decision not to dock West Ham points for breaking regulations on third-party
ownership, it emerged that Wigan chairman David Whelan has written to
Scudamore and Richards urging them to "consider their positions".

In an e-mail, sent to all 20 Premier League clubs yesterday, Whelan is
understood to have accused the League's two most senior figures of
neglecting their responsibilities over the decision to allow Tevez to
continue playing after the ruling by an independent commission on April 27.

The judgement gave the Premier League leave to cancel Tevez's registration
unless West Ham amended or cancelled their agreements with the Argentina
striker's offshore owners.

The League and West Ham maintain that the deals were "unilaterally
terminated" by the club, which allowed manager Alan Curbishley to continue
to use Tevez in his side's successful battle to avoid relegation.

But Whelan is believed to be "appalled" that the Premier League board
approved his registration following a phone call a few hours after the
commission delivered its verdict - the night before West Ham beat Wigan 3-0.

The latest twist in the increasingly fractious saga came as Sheffield United
called for the League to set up an arbitration panel aimed at overturning
the independent commission's original decision to fine West Ham £5.5
million.

United have hired law firm Denton Wilde Sapte to pursue the claim and
although no other clubs were named in a statement they issued last night, it
is understood the other clubs involved in the revolt, Charlton, Fulham and
Wigan, are backing the move.

As well as making a request for arbitration under the Premier League's rule
S4, United are questioning whether the independent commission acted
"lawfully, fairly and reasonably" and accuses the League of failing to
conduct "an adequate investigation into the continued fielding of Tevez
after the 27 April decision despite serious questions over his eligibility".

Demanding a new tribunal be established before the end of the week and to
deliver a final ruling within a month, United appealed to the League to put
preparations for next season on hold.

They said plans for the new campaign "wrongly assume that West Ham remains a
Premiership club and Sheffield United are relegated to the Championship".

The League acknowledged the legal claim from Sheffield United but refused to
comment on whether they would agree to set up an arbitration panel to
consider their claims. "We are in receipt of that request and it is under
consideration," said a spokesman.

However, in a six-page letter, sent to all clubs on Tuesday night and made
public yesterday, Richards and Scudamore say they will consider their rules
on third-party ownership again during the League's annual summer meeting in
two weeks' time.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We want blood - Wigan demand Premiership chief quits - This Is London
17.05.07

The Premier League were plunged deeper into crisis last night after Wigan
chairman Dave Whelan called for their two top officials to resign. In a
letter to chief executive Richard Scudamore, Whelan claimed Scudamore and
chairman Dave Richards were guilty of a dereliction of duty' when they
allowed Carlos Tevez to represent West Ham in a crucial relegation match at
Wigan on April 28.

On a day when relegated Sheffield United filed arbitration proceedings
against the Premier League, Whelan said he was appalled' that Scudamore and
Richards did not follow the recommendation of an independent commission
chairman and cancel Tevez's registration.

Instead, claims Whelan, the Premier League held a telephone board meeting
and, having received assurances only from West Ham that the third-party
agreement with MSI/JSI, the player's offshore owners, had been terminated,
allowed Tevez to play the following day. He scored twice in a 3-0 win at the
JJB Stadium.

In the letter copied to the other 19 Premier League clubs, Whelan wrote: "I
would like to once again ask the question in my email of May 11, did you
actually receive a copy of the documentation from West Ham United which
showed that the original agreement between West Ham and MSI/JSI had been
cancelled?"

Whelan also asked about documentation from MSI/JSI giving permission to
cancel that agreement and whether the ownership of Tevez was then held by
West Ham. He added: "The judgment given by the independent panel ordered
that the registration of Tevez could be terminated by the Premier League.
You then proceeded to hold a board meeting by telephone between yourself,
the chairman and the secretary.

"I am appalled that the chairman would allow such an important decision to
be made on the basis of a telephone call.

"Surely a decision of this magnitude required an open and full discussion.
You had been ordered by the chairman of the commission to seriously consider
the termination of this contract. Your failure to do so in my mind is a
dereliction of the duties of both the chairman and yourself and the pair of
you should consider resigning."

Whelan's views were echoed by another senior club official, who said he was
staggered a £40million decision can be made over the telephone', while
referring to the original recommendations of the independent commission that
examined the Tevez case. "We order the registration of Carlos Tevez can be
terminated by the FA Premier League and we order that West Ham pay the cost
of those proceedings."

In an effort to satisfy the 20 Premier League clubs that they have acted
correctly, Scudamore and Richards sent out a six-page explanation earlier
this week.

Whelan has led the call for evidence that the third-party agreement between
West Ham and Tevez's owners had been terminated, and in Tuesday's letter the
Premier League said officials had received the following prior to the
deadline of noon on April 28:

A LETTER from West Ham United sent to Tevez, MSI and JSI terminating the
private agreement between them dated August 30, 2006, and notifying those
parties that the private agreement shall cease to have any further force or
effect.

A LETTER from the legal representatives of MSI and JSI acknowledging receipt
of the above letter.

A LETTER confirming that the above letter had been served on Tevez
personally.

In Whelan's opinion, however, the key question remains unanswered because at
no point do the Premier League say they received confirmation from MSI that
the agreement had been terminated.

It also amazes Wigan officials that it took less than 24 hours for West Ham
to satisfy the Premier League that selecting Tevez was no longer a breach of
their rules when it took Liverpool five weeks to gain the same clearance for
Javier Mascherano, who joined West Ham with Tevez last August.

In the meantime, the Premier League know they have a legal battle with
Sheffield United on their hands that is being monitored by FIFA. A statement
from Bramall Lane said: "Sheffield United is challenging the legality of the
League Commission's decision to hand West Ham a fine rather than (as had
been universally expected) docking West Ham points and cancelling the
registration of Mr Tevez.

Sheffield United also challenges the Premier League's conduct in failing to
conduct an adequate investigation into the continued fielding of Tevez after
the April 27 decision despite serious questions over his eligibility (which
remain unresolved), or to get sufficient evidence as to continuing
third-party influence over Tevez.

Sheffield United will argue that the League should have cancelled Mr Tevez's
registration in the absence of such evidence."

In addition, Sheffield United want to see "the setting up of a new
disciplinary hearing against West Ham, with the hearing to consider the
issue of the club's continued fielding of Tevez". At the same time, they
believe there should be "a hold on preparations for next season which
wrongly assume that West Ham remains a Premiership club and Sheffield United
is relegated to the Championship".

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Reo-Coker warns of the 107 steps to Cup heaven - This Is London
16.05.07

IF things had gone anywhere near to plan, Nigel Reo-Coker would have led out
a London Premiership club to play in the first ever FA Cup Final at the new
Wembley.

But, as the price of the new stadium went up roughly in proportion with
Brian Barwick's blood pressure, the West Ham captain knew fairly early on
last season that he had as much chance of being a Cup Final pioneer, as
Carlos Tevez has of being voted Sheffield United's player of the year.

There was, however, some consolation for Reo-Coker, who was the first
England captain to lead a team out at the new £800million stadium when the
builders finally departed. The 22-year-old midfielder was skipper of the
England Under-21 team which drew 2-2 with Italy.

He recalled: "It was a big shame we didn't play in the first Cup Final at
the new Wembley. It would somehow have been right since West Ham contested
the first Final back at the old place in 1923.

"It was one of the most disappointing things about last season for me."

Reo-Coker never made it to the twin towers so it's difficult to make a
comparison, but is he impressed by the new place?

He said: "It lived up to all my expectations and I will never forget playing
there. The first thing you notice, when you're still miles from the stadium,
is that arch. There is a sense of anticipation as soon as that comes into
view. Then to walk through that tunnel and be the first England captain to
cross that white line is an experience I will cherish for ever.

"To see all those seats, it's enormous and you could see why, if it was full
of England fans, it could be quite daunting for the opposition.

I can only imagine what it will be like with a 90,000 crowd and two sets of
passionate fans. It should be something special on Saturday."

The climb up to the Royal Box is also a little more challenging. "At the old
place it was 39 steps, but now you have to climb 107 steps," said Reo-Coker.

"You walk up close by the side of the fans and then you go back inside and
climb a few steel steps before emerging again.

"It's a long walk. If you win it won't be a problem but if you lose I can
imagine it will seem like it takes forever."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premiership Rumour Mill: Sheringham at the centre of a tug-of-war - This Is
London
16.05.07

Teddy Sheringham will be involved in a summer tug-of-war between Charlton
and Millwall - if he doesn't join the rush to riches in the United States.
New York Red Bulls wants the former Tottenham, Manchester United and England
star to team up with ex-Aston Villa marksman Juan Pablo Angel. But Alan
Pardew wants Sheringham's vast experience at The Valley to help the Addicks
bounce straight back into the Premiership after their relegation to the
Championship.
Pardew took the skilful striker to Upton Park when he was West Ham boss but
Sheringham fell out of favour when Alan Curbishley took control and has been
released by the Hammers.
Millwall would love to take Sheringham full circle and take him back to The
Den, where he started his illustrious career but manager Willie Donachie
would have to offer him a coaching role on his staff to enjoy any success.

West Ham are preparing to replace Nigel Reo-Coker by signing Scott Parker
from Newcastle while Bolton are bracing themselves for a raid from new
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce with Kevin Nolan his top target - a move which
would help to finally propel the abrasive midfielder into the England squad.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham 'not in rule breach' - The Sun
By JIM MUNRO
May 16, 2007

PREMIER LEAGUE officials have sent a six-page letter to all 20 club chairmen
outlining why West Ham were not docked points over the Carlos Tevez affair.
It also states that the Hammers have satisfactorily terminated the
"offending third party agreement" surrounding Tevez's move and are therefore
"not continuing to be in breach" of Premier League rules. Chief executive
Richard Scudamore and chairman Sir Dave Richards have put their name to the
document which states that the punishment meted out to West Ham, in the form
of a £5.5m fine, was "in accordance with our Rules".

The key extracts from that letter are as follows:

"At no point were West Ham United charged with playing an ineligible player
- both (Carlos) Tevez and (Javier) Mascherano were registered on August 31.
All the required documentation was received by the Premier League and the
usual confirmations received and sent. Registration is definitive as to the
status of the player. At no time has Mr Tevez's registration been revoked or
terminated and at all times he has been eligible to play for West Ham."

"The Independent Commission was...convened strictly in accordance with the
rules as agreed by all member clubs. Its chair, Simon Bourne-Arton QC, acted
very promptly and properly, laying out directions for the hearing in the
shortest possible timescale."

"The Independent Commission carried its work out fully in accordance with
our rules, having adopted practices entirely consistent with formal judicial
proceedings. In reaching their decision the Independent Commission clearly
considered the matter very carefully and did not deliver an irrational or
extreme judgement and delivered the sanction that only they (having
considered the matter fully and in light of copious evidence) deemed to be
proportionate and appropriate."

"The media, and of course those aggrieved by the decision, have analysed the
seven reasons given by the Independent Commission for not deducting points
and concentrated on those that to them seem the least convincing. However,
there are others that have a less convenient truth, particularly the one
that says, 'had the club in time made disclosure of the third party
contracts to the FAPL, then, in all probability, contracts could have been
entered into which would not
have offended the rules'."

"The League could not function if other clubs could effectively intervene in
an attempt to overturn decisions not to their liking."

"Given the complexities around this, we would ask you to step back from the
detail and consider the matter in more general terms:

1. Tevez has been properly registered to play for West Ham United since 31
August 2006. The Board, under our Rules, is charged with the authority to
determine this.

2. He continues to be registered with West Ham United.

3. This is a case without precedent and certainly cannot be compared with
Clubs who have played unregistered players or players ineligible through
suspension.

4. On 26 April West Ham United admitted to breaches of Rules B13 and U18 -
for which they have been fined in accordance with our Rules.

5. The offending third party agreement has been terminated by West Ham
United and therefore they are not continuing to be in breach."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Trial by television - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2007
By: Peter Coombs

Imagine a situation last Sunday whereby Carlos Tevez had for whatever reason
not played for West Ham; instead Marlon Harewood had started the game.

Imagine also that during the game Harewood had been put through on goal and
been fouled by Wes Brown when clean through. Imagine that Wes Brown was only
booked for the challenge and with Tevez not on the pitch, the resulting free
kick was hit straight at the wall.

Imagine lastly that with the game at Old Trafford being nil-nil after 90
minutes and with Wigan winning at Sheffield United, Wes Brown had then
popped up with an injury time winner to send West Ham down. An imaginary
scenario yes, but not beyond the realms of possibility as we have seen with
certain decisions made this season in the Premiership (and those of us who
remember Ronald Koeman's free kick in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers).

Would West Ham have grounds to ask for the game to be replayed - or at the
very least have Wes Brown suspended for the Cup Final - if trial by
television had showed he was guilty of a red card offence? There would
certainly be people asking for this, but in our heart of hearts we would all
know that the answer to that would always be and to protect the integrity of
the game's officials, have to be no. Because the referee, the game's
official, had meted out the punishment he saw fit at the time the offence
was committed.

The rules are clear; if a player is punished for an offence on the field of
play, the punishment cannot be increased after the event unless the referee
has not seen the offence and has taken no action at the time of it. The
offence can be micro-analysed by the Sky cameras a million times, and from
every conceivable angle - but the result stands. This one incident would not
have relegated West Ham – our poor performance over the course of the
38-game season would have done.

So to West Ham and the Tevez, Mascherano affair. Having been punished for
our offence should we then be punished further because a team then finds
themselves in the Championship next season having been 10 points ahead of us
earlier in the campaign? The answer as above, is no; it goes against the
principles, spirit and laws of the game. The officials see the offence, they
punish the guilty party and the game moves on.

I do feel genuine sympathy for Sheffield United and their fans; the
Premiership needs clubs with large loyal following and a famous name (sorry
Wigan, that doesn't include you) and I do hope they come straight back up.
Relegation is never nice, but the knee jerk reaction to ask for West Ham to
take their place is clearly wrong. It's emotion rather than sense speaking.

The reasons Sheffield United got relegated are clear; they were not good
enough over 38 games – not the fault of West Ham United. Had Phil Jagielka
decided not to play basketball in his own area on Sunday they would have
stayed up - West Ham United cannot be blamed for this. Had the post been
half an inch thinner and Danny Webber's effort had not rebounded back off
the upright they would have stayed up – again, not West Ham's fault. We have
taken our punishment and got on with it, the other clubs should have done
the same.

In a case whereby punishment is meted and then successfully challenged by an
aggrieved third party we set a dangerous precedent. If West Ham had been
relegated could we have asked for our game against Newcastle in January to
be replayed because we had a perfectly good goal disallowed that would have
put us 3-1 up. Could we ask for Liverpool to be forced to replay their
recent game with Fulham and play a stronger side than they did? No because
it would be utter carnage. Challenge would follow counter challenge and the
game being played on the pitch would be replaced by it being played out in
the courtrooms and arbitration rooms up and down the country.

A lot of what is driving the current push to have West Ham further punished
is the media; we are now to an extent a victim of the so-called trial by
television, or newspaper. Why have the media given so many column inches to
this? Because it is a good story and it sells.

Look guys - the relegated clubs are aggrieved; they feel West Ham staying up
is because, being a bigger club, they were not punished the same way smaller
clubs would have been. Let's stoke the flame, let's make it a soap opera
that can fill the back pages over the summer when there is no football being
played. This sells papers so milk it for what is worth.

Football carries a lot of emotion, especially at the end of the season.
Relegation is the end of the world. Those who experience it will cling to
any faint hopes that by a technicality they can carry on in the Premiership
gravy train. And the media lap the story up – it's their job. Given the
column inches and television coverage, those who feel they have been on the
wrong end of an injustice suddenly begin to believe that their cause has the
backing of the football world and this gives them hope. But the media are
not on their side; they just love a story that sells.

The so-called 'gang of four' agreed to stick together no matter who went
down before matters were decided last Sunday. This is obviously an insurance
policy for all of those involved; one team may go so let's agree to stick
together before hand. For Wigan and Fulham this is now a case of
old-fashioned musketeer spirit – one for all and all for one and about an
agreement concocted before any of these teams were safe. Not about what they
feel is right or wrong. But I go back to my original point. We have faced
the panel, been found guilty of an offence and have received punishment.

As to the offence itself, third party ownership of a player. I believe this
now sets a precedent whereby loans between Premiership clubs should now be
made illegal. The case of Manchester United this season playing four of
their 38 games against reserve goalkeepers due to the loans and transfer
clauses of Ben Foster at Watford and Tim Howard at Manchester United shows
that Premiership games can be influenced by third party ownership. Had Tim
Howard played for Everton in the recent game at Goodison would he have
dropped the same ball that Iain Turner did to give Manchester United their
lifeline. Will Chelsea be suing over this?

West Ham made a technical error with regards to the player's contracts and
MSI. We held our hands up and bought the error to the attention of the
Premier League. The current administration at the club has acted fairly and
above board and a £5.5million fine was deemed to be fit punishment. There is
an argument that playing a player not owned by West Ham is reason enough to
have points deducted. Will Wigan dock themselves points for the games won
and drew when Chris Kirkland, on loan from Liverpool, played for them?

There is also an argument that by tearing up the original contract and
"re-signing Tevez" that we created our own transfer window to do this.
Middlesbrough signed Jonathan Woodgate permanently outside of the transfer
window thereby changing the contract they had with both Real Madrid and the
player. Will they dock themselves the last six points they gained this
season?

To make our game's rules watertight there should be no grey areas. The clubs
should own players that play for them in the Premier League and loans should
be for their original purpose, for young players to again experience in the
lower leagues.

The league need to look at this and draw up a clear set of rules governing
ownership of players and allow all clubs in the competition a set period to
get their houses in order. Set punishments should also be clearly written,
circulated and agreed on with regards to the future breaking of these rules
and as is already the case, all 20 clubs in the league need to agree to
abide by and agree with any punishment that is given out in future breaches
of the rule book.

One of the things I agree with Paul Jewell on, is the timing of the
commission, which probably did give West Ham a boost a day before the game
with Wigan. On the other side of the coin any points deduction would have
had the same positive effect for Wigan. One team was always going to lose in
this situation. These things need to be investigated but the timing needs to
be thought about and where possible avoided at the business end of the
season.

West Ham made a mistake during a previous regime, we were punished. It is
not up to us to decide when, where and how severely we are punished. This is
up to the Premier League and their independent commission. They have acted
and we all live by that decision. It's time the media and the "gang of four"
accept this and concentrate their efforts on next season, one that promises
to be one the toughest Premier League and Championship seasons ever.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lies, damned lies and ... Kevin McCabe - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2007
By: Gordon Thrower

With all the rubbish spoken by Wigan's Dave Whelan and, more recently
Sheffield United's Kevin McCabe we thought it was about time we had a rant
of our own. Gordon Thrower bravely fought off a streaming cold caught as a
result of his four day trek to Manchester to come up with this …

I've had enough. Firstly I'm getting lectured on morals by someone who has
been convicted of illegal price-fixing and who apparently thought nothing of
stocking his shops with stuff made by child slave labour. Well at least
Whelan seems to have shut up for the time being.

However, no sooner does one ignorant rent-a-quote idiot shut up then another
steps forward to replace him. Step forward Kevin "Hard Of Thinking" McCabe.
Like John Madejski before him here is another who is clearly of the opinion
that if you repeat a lie often enough everyone will believe it.

I read with disbelief the statement issued by him this afternoon on his
proposed "arbitration proceedings", amazed that any half-reputable law firm
could have put its name to something with more holes in it than Torquay's
defence.

"Sheffield United is challenging the legality of the League Commission's
decision to hand West Ham a fine rather than (as had been universally
expected) docking West Ham points and cancelling the registration of Mr
Tevez.

Universally expected? I think not. Indeed a random search of newspaper
articles in the period leading up to the decision would suggest quite the
opposite. Of course if McCabe were to replace the words "universally
expected" with "hoped for by me in case we didn't get enough points to stay
up" we'd be closer to the truth.

"Sheffield United will argue that the Commission's decisions must meet, and
in this case failed to meet, the same general obligations as those required
of public bodies, namely to act lawfully, fairly and reasonably. It falls to
the League's arbitration body to perform the same role as the High Court
would in reviewing decisions issued by the League's disciplinary
commission."

The decision was lawful, fair and reasonable. What it wasn't was what McCabe
wanted, which was a pre-judged, unlawful and unreasonable decision based on
his club's need to compensate for their inability to gain enough points to
stay up.

"Sheffield United also challenges the Premier League's conduct in failing to
conduct an adequate investigation into the continued fielding of Tevez after
the 27 April decision despite serious questions over his eligibility (which
still remain unresolved), or to get sufficient evidence as to continuing
third party influence over Tevez. Sheffield United will argue that the
League should have cancelled Mr Tevez's registration in the absence of such
evidence; and/or that further disciplinary proceedings should have been
instituted against West Ham for failing effectively to resolve their ongoing
breach of Premier League rules as regards Tevez's registration.

So many lies all in one place. The Premier League did conduct an adequate
investigation into Tevez's status and were furnished with documentary
evidence of his eligibility. His eligibility does not therefore "remain
unresolved". Since there were no breaches of Premier League rules there
could not have been an ongoing breach. This statement in itself contains a
number of wilful falsehoods and it contravenes a number of Premier League
rules concerning the conduct of clubs and officials.

"Sheffield United will seek:

a declaration that the original decision and subsequent failure to act were
unlawful, and that the decision should therefore be set aside;"

As we have seen the decision was lawful and there was no "subsequent failure
to act". Seeking a declaration that this was the case would be like me
seeking a declaration that black is in fact white.

"the setting up of a new disciplinary hearing against West Ham, with the
hearing to consider the issue of the club's continued fielding of Tevez;"

Or in other words "Oh let's keep going until we get the decision I want".
The original hearing was lawful. The club's continued fielding of Tevez was
done with the consent and full knowledge of the Premier League. End of.

"a hold on preparations for next season which wrongly assume that West Ham
remains a Premiership club and Sheffield United is relegated to the
Championship;"

The preparations for next season RIGHTLY assume that Sheffield United are
down. This would be because they gained 38 points and had an inferior
goal-difference to Wigan. Down. End Of.

and

"an assessment of the clubs' potential claim for damages.

I'll do that bit for you McCabe - it's £0.00.

Maybe if you sue Jagielka on his way out of the front door for his
inexplicable handball you might make a few more quid. That one moment of
madness had infinitely more to do with Sheffield United's relegation than
anything that happened in E13.

"In light of the significance and urgency of the issues in dispute,
Sheffield United has called for the new tribunal to be established by the
end of this week and to make its decision within four weeks".

How about this: in the light of the fact that your case is based on a tissue
of lies and inaccuracies, how about you disappear with "urgency" now before
someone discovers just how many Premier League rules you have broken by
issuing this travesty of a statement.

Goodbye McCabe, mind you don't choke on the traditional hearty breakfast on
your way out.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA have to stamp on this, says Ardiles - Daily Mail
by CHRIS WHEELER
Last updated at 07:32am on 17th May 2007

Ossie Ardiles has expressed his concern over the deal that took Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano to West Ham last summer. Ardiles, a 1978 World
Cup-winner with Argentina and a Tottenham legend, said: "It's not good for
football and something FIFA must stamp out. These fines and the threat of
court action have hurt football's image and we must stop it happening again.
"It hasn't surprised people in Argentina because there is so much going on
with these third-party arrangements. You never know who the owner is until
you start doing business. "Because of the economic situation in Argentina
and Brazil, it is happening more and more. Some players are owned by big
international companies. "It isn't just happening in South America, but
Africa and elsewhere. I was coaching the top team in Jersusalem last year
and I was in Japan before that. Everywhere I go players have third-party
deals. FIFA have to look at it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Plot thickens in Tévez wrangle as Whelan calls for heads to roll - Times
Gary Jacob and Peter Lansley

The FA Premier League came under renewed pressure last night from the "Gang
of Four" incensed by its handling of the Carlos Tévez affair. Wigan Athletic
called for the "resignation" of Sir Dave Richards, the Premier League
chairman, and Richard Scudamore, the chief executive, and Sheffield United
have taken the first steps in their legal challenge to have West Ham United
deducted points for breaching League rules in the transfer of the Argentina
forward.

In a letter shown to The Times, Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, questions
the conduct of the two League officials since the independent commission
imposed a fine of £5.5 million on West Ham last month. Whelan queries the
time it took to clear Tévez to play when the League had been given the power
by the independent commission to remove the forward's registration.

The Premier League board, made up of Scudamore, Richards and Mike Foster,
the company secretary, took that decision within hours of the judgment being
announced in the early afternoon of April 27. "It required full discussion
and was a dereliction of duties," Whelan said.

The Wigan chairman then asks for their resignation. He also reiterates that
the League has failed to provide the evidence that West Ham cancelled the
agreement with the companies that own the economic rights to Tévez. The
League has said that it has seen West Ham's termination of the contract with
Media Sports Investment and Just Sport, as well as a letter from the
companies acknowledging receipt.

However, the League claims that it cannot ask the companies if they have
terminated the agreement because they do not come under its jurisdiction.

The League has said that it is willing to debate third-party agreements at
the meeting of the Barclays Premiership clubs in two weeks. "The board will
be giving careful consideration to how we might learn lessons from this
situation to protect the future interests of the League and its member
clubs," the League said in a six-page letter to the clubs yesterday.

Last night, the League was considering its response to Sheffield United's
request for an arbitration panel. The club, relegated to the Coca-Cola
Championship on Sunday, want a three-man tribunal appointed to consider the
decision to fine West Ham rather than dock points. The League's rules for
deciding disputes this way say that arbitration is "binding".

United are seeking a "hold on preparations for next season which wrongly
assume that West Ham remains a Premiership club" and "an assessment of the
clubs' potential claim for damages".

Neil Warnock stepped down as manager after 7½ years yesterday, suggesting
that the Tévez affair had forced him out. But he said that he "would be on
the phone like a shot" to reapply for his job should the Yorkshire club be
reinstated.

"A number of issues over the past few weeks have left a bitter taste,"
Warnock said. "If things had worked out differently, I'd be sitting here
signing a new contract and talking about trying to get into Europe. I don't
feel as if we've been relegated, though the maths of the table say we have.
These experiences just drive me on to want to come back and try to put one
over on one or two people.

"The commissioner, when I read the report, said he felt sorry for West Ham
fans and if the inquiry had taken place earlier in the season it would have
been a points deduction. He should have been at Bramall Lane on Sunday with
me, having a chat with our fans."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benayoun's departure could trigger exodus at West Ham - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 17 May 2007

Yossi Benayoun will have a showdown meeting with West Ham United today in
which he is likely to ask for a transfer from the Premiership club. The
Israeli midfielder is unhappy at the way he has been treated by the manager
Alan Curbishley, who has endured a difficult relationship with several
players at the club.

Benayoun's discontent - the meeting is at his request - is likely to become
a test as to whether or not West Ham execute the wholesale clear-out that
was threatened earlier this season. However, since then they have maintained
their top-flight status and there is also a feeling from some within the
club that there should be an attempt to retain several of the unhappy
players such as Anton Ferdinand - whose move to Newcastle United has fallen
through - and Nigel Reo-Coker.

The meeting comes the day after Curbishley met with West Ham chairman Eggert
Magnusson to discuss the club's summer transfer targets. At the top of the
list will be Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen, although he is not believed to be
keen on a move to Upton Park.

The 27-year-old Benayoun was close to leaving West Ham last summer when
there was interest from Liverpool and Arsenal but, in the end, no bid was
made. He was offered a new contract, which would have earned him about
£40,000 a week, but the deal was not signed.

It is believed that Curbishley was particularly unhappy that Benayoun was
able to play for Israel in their European Championship qualifier against
England at a time when he was apparently struggling for fitness.

Curbishley is thought to be have been so angry with Benayoun that, for a
time, he refused to speak to him. However, the midfielder was reinstated for
West Ham's run-in and played a crucial role in their survival.

Despite that, it is understood that he would prefer to leave the club. He
has also interested Portsmouth and, following Sam Allardyce taking over at
Newcastle United, they too could be a potential bidder.

Others who may depart include Marlon Harewood, who interests Spurs and
Wigan, and Paul Konchesky, who may move to Aston Villa. Hayden Mullins,
along with goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, could join Alan Pardew at Charlton.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kia denies transfer talks over West Ham's Tevez
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Kia Joorabchian insists no talks have been held over the future of West Ham
United striker Carlos Tevez. Joorabchian, who controls Tevez's affairs, told
the Daily Mail: "West Ham's board have to decide what their intentions are.
"Maybe they will think they want Carlos and build around him. Or maybe they
will think that, for the money, they can buy four or five great players
instead. "We haven't held talks with any club, contrary to what you might
have read. This morning it was Inter Milan for £25m, the other day it was
Real Madrid for £30m. These stories are the work of fiction. "He has a
great affection for the club - and the supporters. The decision on his
future is his. He has been very happy there. I have a great respect for
Eggert Magnusson, I believe they will be very successful in the future. Even
though I didn't buy the club, I have zero hard feelings towards them. "As
for Carlos, you must remember, he is only 23. He will get better and
better."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham in Newcastle talks for Parker
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

West Ham United have already made contact with Newcastle United over the
availability of midfielder Scott Parker. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, who
knows Parker from their days together at Charlton, has made the Toon captain
a top target for the summer market. Curbishley is willing to offer £8
million for the England international, who has a frosty relationship with a
section of the Newcastle support.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Charlton move for West Ham pair
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Charlton Athletic boss Alan Pardew is going back to old club West Ham for
two players. Midfielder Hayden Mullins and goalkeeper Jimmy Walker are both
wanted by Pardew for next season's Championship campaign.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Konchesky wanted by Villa
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Aston Villa are eyeing West Ham fullback Paul Konchesky. Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley isn't expected to stand in Konchesky's way should he seek a move
this summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Benayoun to ask away from West Ham today
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Yossi Benayoun is expected to demand a transfer in talks today at West Ham
United. The Independent says the Israeli midfielder is unhappy at the way he
has been treated by the manager Alan Curbishley, who has endured a difficult
relationship with several players at the club.

Benayoun was close to leaving West Ham last summer when there was interest
from Liverpool and Arsenal but, in the end, no bid was made. He was offered
a new contract, which would have earned him about £40,000 a week, but the
deal was not signed. He has also interested Portsmouth and, following Sam
Allardyce taking over at Newcastle United, they too could be a potential
bidder.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Noble: East End now happy
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble says London's East End is now "a happy place"
after they clinched Premiership survival at Manchester United on Sunday.

The youngster told whufc.com: "It was a day of mixed emotions for me, I was
crying afterwards but that's how I showed my emotion. I wanted to win so
badly and it never happened. Obviously I scored early on and it was a
rollercoaster game. But it was all worth it and we can look back on it now
and say it was the catalyst for what we've done."

Premiership status secured, Mark admitted he could breathe a sigh of relief.
"We're not worrying about anyone else now and next season we can prove
ourselves," he said.

"We've got out of the sticky patch of the difficult second season in the
Premiership and we can push on a do well and hopefully do as well as we did
in the first season - or better.

"I was looking up to the fans, we had a bit of eye contact, me and my
friends. It was a fantastic day, they were as happy as me. But everyone
knows how important it is to this Club, being in the Premiership, and the
East End is a happy place to be now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Item - Premier League Letter

West Ham 'not in rule breach' - The Sun
By JIM MUNRO
May 16, 2007

PREMIER LEAGUE officials have sent a six-page letter to all 20 club chairmen
outlining why West Ham were not docked points over the Carlos Tevez affair.

It also states that the Hammers have satisfactorily terminated the
"offending third party agreement" surrounding Tevez's move and are therefore
"not continuing to be in breach" of Premier League rules.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore and chairman Sir Dave Richards have put
their name to the document which states that the punishment meted out to
West Ham, in the form of a £5.5m fine, was "in accordance with our Rules".

The key extracts from that letter are as follows:

"At no point were West Ham United charged with playing an ineligible player
- both (Carlos) Tevez and (Javier) Mascherano were registered on August 31.
All the required documentation was received by the Premier League and the
usual confirmations received and sent. Registration is definitive as to the
status of the player. At no time has Mr Tevez's registration been revoked or
terminated and at all times he has been eligible to play for West Ham."

______________________________________________

"The Independent Commission was...convened strictly in accordance with the
rules as agreed by all member clubs. Its chair, Simon Bourne-Arton QC, acted
very promptly and properly, laying out directions for the hearing in the
shortest possible timescale."

_______________________________________________

"The Independent Commission carried its work out fully in accordance with
our rules, having adopted practices entirely consistent with formal judicial
proceedings. In reaching their decision the Independent Commission clearly
considered the matter very carefully and did not deliver an irrational or
extreme judgement and delivered the sanction that only they (having
considered the matter fully and in light of copious evidence) deemed to be
proportionate and appropriate."

_________________________________________________

"The media, and of course those aggrieved by the decision, have analysed the
seven reasons given by the Independent Commission for not deducting points
and concentrated on those that to them seem the least convincing. However,
there are others that have a less convenient truth, particularly the one
that says, 'had the club in time made disclosure of the third party
contracts to the FAPL, then, in all probability, contracts could have been
entered into which would not
have offended the rules'."

__________________________________________________

"The League could not function if other clubs could effectively intervene in
an attempt to overturn decisions not to their liking."

__________________________________________________

"Given the complexities around this, we would ask you to step back from the
detail and consider the matter in more general terms:

1. Tevez has been properly registered to play for West Ham United since 31
August 2006. The Board, under our Rules, is charged with the authority to
determine this.

2. He continues to be registered with West Ham United.

3. This is a case without precedent and certainly cannot be compared with
Clubs who have played unregistered players or players ineligible through
suspension.

4. On 26 April West Ham United admitted to breaches of Rules B13 and U18 -
for which they have been fined in accordance with our Rules.

5. The offending third party agreement has been terminated by West Ham
United and therefore they are not continuing to be in breach."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Are you listening McCabe? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

The Premier League have released details of a letter sent to all 20 member
clubs expaining why West Ham United were not docked points. The letter -
sent from Richard Scudamore and Dave Richards to all existing Premier League
clubs today - confirmed that Carlos Tevez's registration was eligible from
the date he signed. It also confirmed that the league were satisfied with
the amendments to Tevez's contract made at the end of last month.

"At no point were West Ham United charged with playing an ineligible
player," stated the missive. "Both Tevez and Mascherano were registered on
31 st August 2006. All the required documentation was received.

"At no time has Mr Tevez's registration been revoked or terminated and at
all times he has been eligible to play for West Ham.

"Tevez has been properly registered to play for West Ham United since 31
August 2006. He continues to be registered with West Ham United."

And with regard to a string of stories appearing in the medie over the past
few days, the letter added:

"The media, and of course those aggrieved by the decision, have analysed the
seven reasons given by the Independent Commission for not deducting points
and concentrated on those that to them seem the least convincing.

"However, there are others that have a less convenient truth, particularly
the one that says 'had the club in time made disclosure of the third party
contracts to the FAPL, then, in all probability, contracts could have been
entered into which would not have offended the rules'."

"This is a case without precedent and certainly cannot be compared with
Clubs who have played unregistered players or players ineligible through
suspension.

"On 26 April, West Ham United admitted to breaches of Rules B13 and U18 -
for which they have been fined in accordance with our Rules.

"The offending third party agreement has been terminated by West Ham United
and therefore they are not continuing to be in breach."

Sheffied United Chairman Kevin McCabe - who bizarrely blamed the Tevez
situation for Neil Warnock's sacking yesterday - today pushed for the case
to go to arbitration. That request is almost certain to be rejected by the
Premier League.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Straw clutching - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 16th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Sheffield United have begun arbitration proceedings against the Premier
League. The Blades decided to take the dramatic step having been told by
legal eagles that they have no chance of reversing the league's decision to
fine West Ham United £5.5m in order to preserve their Premiership status.
Sheffield United Chairman Kevin McCabe served a notice of procedure to the
Premier League this lunchtime, before making the following statement via the
Blades website: "We are still working towards debating matters with the
Premier League as we want to undo the wrong and the injustice of the
decision," he said.
"The events off the field of play have culminated in our arbitration
procedures. "We have written to every MP, explaining the background of the
injustice and that it needs to be satisfied for the good of the sport.
"First and foremost we're doing everything to protect the interests of
United. "Will the Premier League accept our arbitration letters? Litigation
can be pursued and, if it has to be pursued, we'll do it."
McCabe - who continues to claim that Tevez was 'ineligible' to play for the
Hammers despite that never having been the case - also insisted that he
would be continuing his crusade to have the league extended to 21 clubs next
season in order to incorporate the Blades, despite them being relegated by
virtue of losing at home to Wigan last weekend. "It is up to the FA Premier
League to find a way round this exceptional circumstance where a club which
has played by the rules has been relegated at the expense of one club who
have fielded ineligible players," he added. "The simple answer is why not
have 21 clubs in the Premiership next season and relegate four of them at
the end? It is not my decision to make but it seems like a very simple
solution."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - II 16th May 2007

Woody overwhelmed by support - WHUFC
16/05/2007 09:00

Andy Woodman admitted he was overwhelmed by the support he received from
Alan Curbishley, the players and the West Ham United fans at his benefit
match last night. Hammers' Youth Academy goalkeeping coach teamed up with
his former Northampton Town team-mates from their 1997 Play-Off final
triumph - plus good friend Gareth Southgate, for an entertaining evening of
football against a strong West Ham United side in front of a crowd of more
than 5,000 at the Sixfields Stadium. "It was a fabulous night," said Woody.
"All I can say is thank you to Alan Curbishley, the staff and the players
for their support on the night, and a thank you isn't really enough to be
honest. "After such a long and hard season, I'm sure the last thing they
wanted to do was come down here on a Tuesday night, and I am extremely
grateful for everything they have done. "The West Ham supporters were of
course fantastic, we knew they would turn up because they follow the club
everywhere, and all in all it was a top night. I was overwhelmed by the
support of everyone who attended."
Although the evening ended in a 4-1 defeat for the veteran Northampton
favourites, Woody rounded off his own personal occasion with an
expertly-taken penalty five minutes into the second half - awarded after Lee
Bowyer had 'accidentally' handled in the area…just as Northampton's
substitute goalkeeper was waiting to come on. After sprinting forward to
slam the spot-kick past a stranded Jimmy Walker, Woody immediately left the
field to a standing ovation. "To be honest, it was a case of either me or
Gareth Southgate taking the penalty, and we needed a goal, so I took it!"
joked Woody. "And I tell you, Jimmy Walker was absolutely desperate to save
it, but I gave him no chance!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble looks back on best day of his life! - WHUFC
16/05/2007 11:52

Looking back on the momentous occasion at Old Trafford at the weekend, where
the Hammers clinched their Premiership status with a 1-0 win, Mark Noble
said: "It was the best day of my life." "It was unbelievable to come to Old
Trafford and win to stay up," he added. "It's never been better than this.
The boys have dug in and we've played as a team for the last three months.
"We're over the moon and we're going to enjoy a nice break. I can't wait for
next season now! We showed we can dig in and defend against Arsenal and when
we've played other teams we've showed our flair. "Against Man United you
have to fall back and defend. We did that after Tevez scored a wonderful
goal and we're still in the Premier League. "All I wanted to do was go out
there and keep it simple. I just played the holding role and let Yossi and
Boa Morte do the things that they do best. It's not about me; it's about the
team and the Club. Everyone's buzzing."

With Curbs pinpointing the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham at Upton Park as the
turning point for the Hammers' resurgence, Mark reflected on that game. "It
was a day of mixed emotions for me, I was crying afterwards but that's how I
showed my emotion," he said. "I wanted to win so badly and it never
happened. Obviously I scored early on and it was a rollercoaster game. But
it was all worth it and we can look back on it now and say it was the
catalyst for what we've done."

Premiership status secured, Mark admitted he could breathe a sigh of relief.
"We're not worrying about anyone else now and next season we can prove
ourselves," he said. "We've got out of the sticky patch of the difficult
second season in the Premiership and we can push on a do well and hopefully
do as well as we did in the first season - or better. "I was looking up to
the fans, we had a bit of eye contact, me and my friends. It was a fantastic
day, they were as happy as me. But everyone knows how important it is to
this Club, being in the Premiership, and the East End is a happy place to be
now."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green: Seige mentality spurred us on - WHUFC
16/05/2007 15:12

As a key figure in the Hammers' revival to remain in the Premiership,
goalkeeper Rob Green, who kept five clean sheets in the final eight games of
the season, admitted that battling the odds worked in the team's favour. "No
one gave us a chance outside of our own squad and outside the football
club," he said. "We'd been written off everywhere. It was an amazing
experience to go to Old Trafford and win. "We needed the points as well,
with the way the results went. To win seven out of the last nine games is a
fantastic achievement and it kind of shows everyone what we should have done
at the start of the season."
Having taken twelve points and kept four clean sheets in four games against
Manchester United and Arsenal, Rob reflected on a magnificent achievement.
"I'd like to know who the last team where to do the double over Manchester
United and Arsenal in a season," he said. "The lads put their bodies on the
line and did everything they could. "To beat Man U on the final day was
fantastic. We scored a special goal at a really good time and it just gave
everyone that little push going into the second half and something to
defend. We needed that. "They celebrated winning the League there on Sunday
but the feeling we had is equivalent to winning the League, winning the Cup,
everything rolled into one. It's the greatest feeling that I've ever had in
football. "It's up there with winning the League with Norwich. To pull it
off with nine games to go - when no one gave us a chance - is amazing. The
attitude amongst the players has been fantastic to turn it around."
And the 27-year-old keeper is already looking ahead to the next Premiership
campaign. "We've shown what we can do in the last nine games," he said. "The
lads showed what they could do last season too. "We've put everything on the
line and if we do that for 38 games next season then we've got a chance of
doing something good."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League to help Fifa's Tevez probe - BBC

The Premier League has agreed to provide Fifa with any "assurances and
explanations" it needs into how West Ham's breach of rules was handled. The
Hammers were fined £5.5m for irregularities over the signing of Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano but they escaped a points deduction. Fifa president
Sepp Blatter said he is "monitoring the situation carefully".
But Fifa has told BBC Five Live that it is not re-examining the evidence
with the aim of testing the ruling. West Ham broke two Premier League rules
by entering into a private agreement with a third-party company when they
signed Argentine pair Tevez and Mascherano in August last year.
Mascherano has since moved to Liverpool, while Tevez stayed in London and
played an influential role in West Ham's successful battle against
relegation - scoring seven goals in the club's last 10 games. Sheffield
United, who went down on the final day of the season, are leading the fight
against an independent commission's decision not to punish the Hammers with
a points deduction. The Blades, who are being supported by the likes of
Wigan, Fulham, Charlton and Middlesbrough, are also concerned that West Ham
may still have been breaking Premier League rules after the ruling on 27
April.
The Premier League has argued that it has no case to answer in regards to
West Ham's punishment because all 20 Premiership clubs agreed to the
disciplinary system in place. However, that has not stopped Sheffield United
pursuing their case and Blatter's intervention may encourage them. A Premier
League statement later read: "We have implemented our rulebook and processes
to the letter in this matter and we are more than happy to give Fifa any
assurances or explanations they need."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MASCH: WE DID NOTHING WRONG - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 16 May 2007

Javier Mascherano insists himself and Carlos Tevez have done nothing wrong
as the controversy over their transfers to West Ham continues to rumble on.
The Hammers were handed the massive fine after West Ham admitted they broke
Premiership transfer regulations when they signed Tevez and Javier
Mascherano from Corinthians last August. The Upton Park side escaped a
points deduction for acting improperly regarding the transfers of the
Argentine duo, but the likes of Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton
are all considering legal action against the Premier League for not docking
West Ham points. Fifa have now stepped in to investigate the row that has
rocked the Premiership.
However, Mascherano has protested his and Tevez's innocence and says he was
delighted to see West Ham stay up despite his unhappy spell at Upton Park.
"I don't know about the politics, and I don't want to get into the rights
and wrongs of whether they should be docked points, but I do know that we
didn't do anything wrong," Mascherano told The Mirror. "We just went there
to play football, and even though I didn't play much, they still gave me the
opportunity, they helped me - everyone, the staff the players and the fans.
"For that I am grateful, and I believe they are a great club. "They are too
big and too good to be playing at a level out of the top flight, and so I am
happy they survived."
Mascherano escaped his West Ham hell to sign for Liverpool in the January
transfer window, but the holding midfielder says he bears no grudge against
the Hammers. "No matter what happened to me at West Ham, I am very pleased,
very content and very happy that they survived, because if it wasn't for
them, I wouldn't have the chance to play in a Champions League Final,"
continued Mascherano. "By bringing me to England they gave me this
opportunity. Everyone helped me there, and of course Carlos Tevez is my
great friend, so I am so very happy for him. "They have wonderful fans who
always backed me, and the staff and the players were always supportive of
me, so I am happy that they have survived, and can look forward to the
Premiership next season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premiership backs Fifa inquiry - Sky
By Robin Hackett and Patricio Figueroa - Created on 16 May 2007

Premier League officials will offer Fifa full assistance in their
investigations into the Carlos Tevez transfer. West Ham were controversially
given a fine rather than a points deduction following a disciplinary hearing
regarding the signings of Tevez and compatriot Javier Macherano. Several
top-flight clubs have since lodged objections to the decision, with Wigan
chairman Dave Whelan calling for a fresh investigation. As a result, Sepp
Blatter has vowed Fifa will undertake an independent inquiry to discover
whether the club should have been docked points. But a Premier League
spokesman claims all processes were carried out immaculately and they will
fully support Fifa where necessary. "The Premier League has implemented its
rulebook and processes to the letter in this matter and we are more than
happy to give Fifa any assurances or explanations they need," he said.
Meanwhile, Tevez claims he is simply enjoying the moment after helping West
Ham escape relegation on the last day of the season. There have been
numerous press reports discussing a possible move away from Upton Park, but
the Argentina international says he is not thinking about next season yet.
"For now, I am enjoying the fact that we gave our supporters satisfaction in
not getting relegated," he told the South American press. "Together with us,
they were the only people who trusted in the team and had faith that West
Ham would not be relegated. "Many parts of the press and even other teams
thought that we were already a second-tier team a long time ago, but we
showed them that each match has to be played before you can say what will
happen."
Having arrived home in Buenos Aires, Tevez has set his sights on a place in
his country's Copa America squad this summer. "I would like to be included
in the team that will play the Copa America in Venezuela. "I am going to
wait a few days to see what happens and, if I don't hear any news, I will go
on holiday with my family. "But if I am included in the team, I will not
have any doubts about accepting."
Argentina coach Alfio Basile is expected to name Tevez in the squad for the
friendly against Switzerland on 2nd June.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McCabe explains Warnock exit - Sky
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 16 May 2007

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe has stressed that the decision to
part with Neil Warnock was based on the effect the 'injustice' of their
relegation had on the club. Warnock confirmed on Wednesday that he had left
Bramall Lane by mutual consent, just three days after defeat to Wigan
condemned The Blades to life in the Championship. McCabe claims it was
impossible for Warnock to remain at the helm, as the club had to move on
after the Carlos Tevez affair. He told Sky Sports News: "What is sad is that
the catalyst to the decision from both parties was probably the event off
the field, that made it clear that to reinvigorate United and get us out of
the Championship we need a fresh face. "It has affected everyone. There is
no question that the team manager and indeed the players feel that the club
has been cheated out of their Premiership position, because a club has
broken the rules and we haven't. "It's left an air of despair around that
has not finally disappeared. "We've got to bounce back and move those clouds
to get on with it, but it is sad that the events off the field have really
affected the morale of the players and the team manager and really made the
final decision that we should part now."
Sheffield United are seeking arbitration with the Premier League following
their decision not to deduct any points from West Ham despite finding them
guilty of breaking regulations over the transfers of Tevez and Carlos
Mascherano. "The board of the Premier League need to properly address this
and right the wrong, the injustice, that Sheffield United have got," McCabe
said.
Sheffield United must now appoint a new manager ahead off next season but
McCabe insists there have been no applications as yet. He admits assistant
Stuart McCall will come under consideration but is adamant the decision on
Warnock's successor will not be rushed. "We've had a meeting to discuss the
sort of manager we need to take us back to where we have just left, i.e. the
Premiership," he explained. "We are getting up a shortlist and we'll not be
idle, but we'll not be panicked either. "Stuart will certainly be
interviewed. He has been with us for a good few years as player and as
assistant manager, and he is a good guy, and we will see what he has to say
at interview."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BLADES BEGIN ARBITRATION PROCESS - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 16 May 2007

Sheffield United have begun arbitration proceedings against the Premier
League as a result of the Carlos Tevez transfer controversy, with chairman
Kevin McCabe now proposing that England's top flight comprises 21 teams next
season. Following relegation, The Blades are bitterly angry at the failure
to penalise West Ham with a points deduction despite being found guilty of
irregularities in the August signings of Tevez and former Hammer Javier
Mascherano. A so-called 'Gang of Four' - comprising The Blades, Charlton,
Wigan and Fulham - have been canvassing support from their fellow clubs and
The Blades have also written to MPs in a bid to generate support for their
cause. McCabe served arbitration procedure notice on the Premier League on
Wednesday to continue the crusade against the perceived injustice, and has
again threatened legal action if the league fails to accept his letter.
However, the Blades chairman has also proposed a scenario whereby Sheffield
United would be reinstated to the league without West Ham being demoted,
resulting in the Premiership housing 21 teams next season. "We are still
working towards debating matters with the Premier League, we want to undo
the wrong and the injustice of the decision," McCabe told the club's
official website. "The events off the field of play have culminated in our
arbitration procedures. "We have written to every MP, explaining the
background of the injustice and that it needs to be satisfied for the good
of the sport. "First and foremost we're doing everything to protect the
interests of United. "Will the Premier League accept our arbitration
letters? Litigation can be pursued and, if it has to be pursued, we'll do
it.
"It is up to the FA Premier League to find a way round this exceptional
circumstance where a club which has played by the rules has been relegated
at the expense of one club who have fielded ineligible players. "The simple
answer is why not have 21 clubs in the Premiership next season and relegate
four of them at the end. It is not my decision to make but it seems like a
very simple solution."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has indicated that the disaffected clubs will
seek to prove that West Ham's re-registration of Tevez outside the transfer
window - and following the independent commission's findings - was illegal.
However, the Premier League looks unlikely to bow to McCabe's attempts to
establish an arbitration panel, with a spokesman underlining the league's
belief that no laws have been broken in the controversial row. "We followed
our processes to the letter and we ensured to our satisfaction that the
third party arrangements in relation to Carlos Tevez's contract have been
terminated," said a Premier League spokesman. We are more than happy to meet
with officials of Sheffield United or any other aggrieved club to offer
clarification and explanation of this and we have written to all 20 clubs
with a forensic explanation of the ruling."

Fifa has already pledged to investigate the row which is threatening to drag
the relegation issue out over the summer.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlos Tevez: What's it all about? - Soccernet

WHAT DID WEST HAM DO WRONG?

Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez were signed on terms which broke two
Premier League rules. First, the contracts allowed the companies which owned
the players' economic rights to move them to another club during any
transfer window. West Ham would receive a nominal fee but had 'no right of
objection'. This broke rule U18, which prohibits a club from entering into
an agreement which gives a third party influence on the performance of the
team. To make matters worse, West Ham were found to have told a 'direct lie'
to the Premier League in order to cover up the fact the contracts contained
third party agreements. West Ham pleaded guilty to both breaches of Premier
League rules. The Premier League's independent commission fined them
£5.5million after deciding 'this was not only an obvious and deliberate
breach of the rules, but a grave breach of trust as to the Premier League
and its constituent members. 'In our finding the club has been responsible
for dishonesty and deceit.'

WHY DO OTHER CLUBS BELIEVE WEST HAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOCKED POINTS?

Because the Premier League's commission said so. They admitted a points
deduction 'would normally follow from such a breach of rules' - but then
provided seven reasons for not doing so.
Chief among them was the fact that a loss of points would 'certainly have
relegated' West Ham and cost them up to five times the £5.5million they were
fined. The commission also took into account the fact West Ham is under new
ownership, and that the club's players and fans were not to blame for the
situation. The so-called 'Gang of Four' object to the panel's reasoning for
not docking points. However, the commission was free under Premier League
regulations to impose whatever punishment they deemed 'proportionate and
appropriate'.

WHY WAS TEVEZ ALLOWED TO PLAY FOR WEST HAM AFTER THE RULING?

West Ham were instructed by the commission to remove the third party
agreement in Tevez's contract before he could play again. The club say they
did as soon as they received the judgment - and their actions satisfied the
Premier League, who cleared Tevez to play. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, among
others, has has demanded to see written proof.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League ready to face Tevez probe - Soccernet

The Premier League have promised to provide FIFA with a full explanation of
their handling of the Carlos Tevez affair. FIFA are to investigate whether
there was anything wrong with an independent commission's decision not to
dock West Ham points for breaching rules over third-party agreements. A
Premier League spokesman said: 'The Premier League has implemented its
rulebook and processes to the letter in this matter and we are more than
happy to give FIFA any assurances or explanations they need.' FIFA president
Sepp Blatter insisted the organisation had the power to pass a final verdict
on the independent commission's decision to fine West Ham £5.5million.
Several clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League over
the commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been deducted
points. Blatter said FIFA would look into the case as a matter of urgency -
whether or not they are invited to do so.
He told a media briefing in Zurich: 'We will look at this - and not only if
we are asked, we will do it anyway. 'We will ask for the file once it has
been decided how and why the decision was made. 'If we feel something was
wrong in this decision then we have to open our file.' Blatter said in terms
of time-scale a 'decision would have to be taken immediately.' He added that
according to FIFA's files the transfer of Tevez and Javier Mascherano from
Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international
transfer regulations. Blatter added: 'We will monitor this situation very
carefully and once this situation is dealt with by the league and the FA we
will ask for the files and have a look because we have the right and the
responsibility to see how such cases are dealt with. 'The matter is linked
with a club in Brazil - Corinthians - and with the ownership of this club
and the ownership of the two players. 'According to our files the transfer
of Tevez was done correctly according to the international transfer of
players.'
If FIFA were to attempt to overrule the independent commission it would
cause a huge storm in the world of football. It seems more likely that FIFA
will check carefully to ensure that the league's disciplinary process had
been followed correctly, and if it is satisfied that it has then will ratify
the decision. Any such ratification move would strengthen the Premier
League's hand in any legal battle. Blatter said a recent ruling by the Swiss
federal court against Spanish third division side Rayo Vallecano meant FIFA
did have jurisdiction over individual clubs. In the Rayo Vallecano case, the
Spanish club had been threatened with relegation if it did not pay transfer
fees owed to a Brazilian club. It claimed, unsuccessfully, that FIFA did not
have the power to do so.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Inter linked with £25m Tevez move - TeamTalk

Italian champions Inter Milan have reportedly opened talks over a £25million
deal for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentine superstar scored six
goals in nine games in the Premiership run-in and almost single-handedly
kept the Hammers in the top-flight, much to the anger of the 'Gang of Four'
- Wigan, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton - who claim his signing
breached Premier League rules. His superb recent form has made him one of
the most sought after forwards in Europe and subsequently he's been linked
with a whole host of clubs, including Spanish sides Real Madrid and Sevilla.
However, according to The Daily Express Inter are now the front-runners with
their president Massimo Moratti having opened talks with Kia Joorabchian,
the man who represents Tevez. The 23-year-old Argentina star insists he
wants to remain a Hammers player, but Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester
United, in which he scored the crucial winning goal, looks to have been his
last game for the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to offer £8M for Newcastle's Parker
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is planning to bring Newcastle United
captain Scott Parker back to London. The Daily Star says money-bags West Ham
will bid £8 million for the England international, who has endured a
difficult relationship with Toon fans this season. Newcastle boss Sam
Allardyce will seek to replace Parker with his former Bolton captain, Kevin
Nolan.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Summer Sales - The Times
A twice-daily round-up of the biggest moves in the transfer window
Neil Johnston
Noon bulletin

West Ham United's Carlos Tevez could be heading for Inter Milan after the
Italian champions contacted Kia Joorabchian, the man who represents the
Argentine superstar. Tevez scored six goals in nine games to help keep Alan
Curbishley's side in the Premiership, much to the anger of the 'Gang of
Four' - Wigan Athletic, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic - who
claim his signing breached Premier League rules. His superb recent form has
made him one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe and subsequently
he's been linked with a whole host of clubs, including Spanish sides Real
Madrid and Sevilla. However, Inter appear the front-runners with reports
from Italy suggesting they are lining up a £25 million move for Tevez.

Scott Parker could also find himself caught up in Allardyce's busy summer of
change with West Ham eyeing an £8m move for the England international. It
also promises to be a hectic summer at Upton Park with new Wigan manager
Chris Hutchings keen to make forward Marlon Harewood his first signing.
Harewood scored in West Ham's 3-0 win at Wigan last month and Hutchings
wants to boost his forward options with doubts over the future of Senegal
striker Henri Camara.

Teddy Sheringham, who has been released by West Ham, is wanted by Major
League Soccer side New York Red Bulls. However, relegated Charlton have
earmarked the 41-year-old forward as they attempt to make a quick return to
the Premiership.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Charlton, Millwall move for West Ham's Sheringham
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Departing West Ham United striker Teddy Sheringham is mulling over offers
from Charlton Athletic and Millwall. New York Red Bulls wants the former
Tottenham, Manchester United and England star to team up with ex-Aston Villa
marksman Juan Pablo Angel, says the Daily Mail. But Alan Pardew wants
Sheringham's vast experience at The Valley to help the Addicks bounce
straight back into the Premiership after their relegation to the
Championship. Pardew took the skilful striker to Upton Park when he was West
Ham boss but Sheringham fell out of favour when Alan Curbishley took control
and has been released by the Hammers. Millwall would love to take Sheringham
full circle and take him back to The Den, where he started his illustrious
career but manager Willie Donachie would have to offer him a coaching role
on his staff to enjoy any success.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Inter Milan in Kia talks for West Ham's Tevez
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Inter Milan are favourites to land West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez. His
superb recent form has made him one of the most sought-after forwards in
Europe and subsequently he's been linked with a whole host of clubs,
including Spanish sides Real Madrid and Sevilla. However, according to The
Daily Express Inter are now the front-runners with their president Massimo
Moratti having opened talks with Kia Joorabchian, the man who represents
Tevez. The 23-year-old Argentine insists he wants to remain a Hammers
player, but Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United, in which he scored the
crucial winning goal, looks to have been his last game for the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mc Babe Sinks To The Lowest In Assault On West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 16 May, 2007 - 10:38.

In one of the most pathetic snivelling outbursts of all time Sheffield
United Chairman 'cry baby McCabe' soiled his nappy live on Sky. Blades
supporters hang your heads in shame that the man (loose terminology) charged
with taking your club forward is the main man who should have resigned
instead of your manager Neil Warnock. No genuine fan can support the actions
of a coward who needed to firstly try to hide the club's failings behind an
FA ruling but worst of all has tried to hide his incompetency and his
inability to keep hold of a valued and trusted manager behind his gripping
about Hammers surviving the drop 'on the field'.
What a sad and pathetic image Mc Babe has sent out regarding a once proud
club, all West Ham supporters wish Sheffield Utd's supporters the best in
their forthcoming campaign and attempt at bouncing back next season, but
your chairman needs to go back to nursery, what a shower.
Incidentally, word has reached us that Sepp Blatter has absolutely no
intention of trying to deduct points from West Ham, his niece is a jolly
good pal of West Ham's chief backer björgólfur gudmundsson's son, who is not
short of a bob or two, perhaps this warrants an investigation?
Get a life! - Ed..

PS: Full credit to Neil Warnock for not claiming that Hammers were the sole
reason for the Blades demise, especially his comment that 'Rafa Benitez'
should take over as the new Sheffield Utd manager, a clear indication of
what he thought about Liverpool fielding their reserves against Fulham in
the match that ensured the Cottagers Premiership survival, without that
victory Fulham would have been relegated instead of Sheffield Utd.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTER LINE UP TEVEZ SWOOP - REPORT - Sporting Life

Italian champions Inter Milan have reportedly opened talks over a £25
million deal for West Ham's Carlos Tevez. The Argentine superstar scored six
goals in nine games in the Premiership run-in and almost single-handedly
kept the Hammers in the top-flight, much to the anger of the 'Gang of Four'
- Wigan, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton - who claim his signing
breached Premier League rules. His superb recent form has made him one of
the most sought-after forwards in Europe and subsequently he's been linked
with a whole host of clubs, including Spanish sides Real Madrid and Sevilla.
However, according to The Daily Express Inter are now the front-runners with
their president Massimo Moratti having opened talks with Kia Joorabchian,
the man who represents Tevez. The 23-year-old Argentine insists he wants to
remain a Hammers player, but Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United, in
which he scored the crucial winning goal, looks to have been his last game
for the club.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers in for England striker - Clubcall
20070516 09:59

West Ham are targeting Everton's Andy Johnson as a replacement for Carlos
Tevez - who has said goodbye to the club. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley
believes he can prise Johnson away from Goodison Park after rumours on the
grapevine that the England striker would welcome a move back to the south.
Reports in March claimed Johnson is homesick for London and, despite denials
by the Toffees at the time, a move to the ambitious Hammers would appeal to
the former Crystal Palace striker. And, armed with significant funds from
the sale of Argentinian superstar Tevez, it could be the biggest domestic
transfer of the summer. Despite his instrumental role in keeping the
Hammers in the Premiership this past season, Tevez looks set to move on this
summer after reportedly bidding farewell to his team-mates following their
crucial 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Toffee targeted as Tevez replacement Wed, May 16 2007 09:59 -
EatSleepSport

West Ham are targeting Everton's Andy Johnson as a replacement for Carlos
Tevez - who has said goodbye to the club. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley
believes he can prise Johnson away from Goodison Park after rumours on the
grapevine that the England striker would welcome a move back to the south.
Reports in March claimed Johnson is homesick for London and, despite denials
by the Toffees at the time, a move to the ambitious Hammers would appeal to
the former Crystal Palace striker. And, armed with significant funds from
the sale of Argentinian superstar Tevez, it could be the biggest domestic
transfer of the summer. Despite his instrumental role in keeping the Hammers
in the Premiership this past season, Tevez looks set to move on this summer
after reportedly bidding farewell to his team-mates following their crucial
1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday. Real Madrid have already been linked
with a £30million swoop for Tevez and it has now been revealed that West Ham
will scoop most of the proceeds from any sale. That is because only the
player's contract from the complicated paperwork that dictated the terms of
Tevez's arrival at Upton Park last August remains legally enforceable. That
will upset West Ham's rivals, who are already unhappy with the fact they
were only hit with a £5.5million fine and not docked points after an
independent commission found the club guilty of having a third-party
agreement in the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Fifa have vowed to
investigate the matter, but Hammers chairman and former Uefa executive
committee member Eggert Magnusson is not thought to be worried.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Harewood tracked by Hutchings - Clubcall
20070516 10:04

Chris Hutchings hopes to make out-of-favour West Ham striker Marlon Harewood
his first signing as Wigan manager. The news come after chairman Dave Whelan
confirmed there will be "comings and goings" at the JJB Stadium during the
close-season as Latics plan for life after Paul Jewell. Harewood has been
told by manager Alan Curbishley he has little or no future at Upton Park
after being edged out of the first-team picture by Carlos Tevez and Bobby
Zamora. The 27-year-old has scored just four goals this season but could be
sold for £2.5million. Hutchings is keen to stamp his own authority at Wigan
and will begin his summer clear-out imminently, with Harewood a top target.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
LATICS CHASING HAREWOOD - yeoldetreeandcrown.com

Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings is believed to be ready to pay West
Ham United's asking price of £2.500.000 for striker Marlon Harewood.

Marlon, who was born in Hampstead on 25th August 1979 started his career at
Nottingham Forest for whom he made 181 league appearances scoring 51 league
goals. Whilst at the City Ground he had a loan spell with Finnish outfit FC
Haka in 1998 for whom he played 12 times, scoring 3 goals as they won the
Finnish Veikkauslliga (the League) and the Finnish League Cup. The
following year saw him loaned out to Ipswich Town where he scored once in 6
league appearances for the Tractor Boys.

He joined the Hammers in November 2003 for a fee of £500.000 and he helped
the Boleyn Ground team to promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs at
the end of season 2004/05. He has recently fallen down the pecking order at
the club and manager Alan Curbishley is prepared to sell him now.

He has been a long term Latics target with outgoing manager Paul Jewell
having tried to sign him during the last transfer windows. Maybe it will be
third time lucky for Latics?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gang of 4 lifted by Prem letter - The Sun
May 16, 2007

THE Premier League last night acted to defuse the Tevez row by sending a
letter to all 20 Premiership clubs. But it does not dismiss the idea that
the Gang of Four — Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton — might
still have a case. The letter from chief executive Richard Scudamore and
chairman David Richards insists the Premier League have done everything by
the rules.
It also says they are convinced the Independent Commission who imposed a
£5.5m fine, rather than points deduction, acted correctly. And there is no
case for appeal. The lengthy letter points out that any club that has "had
its day in court" cannot be "re-tried" by aggrieved clubs. That would
indicate there is no course of action for the Gang Of Four. However there is
then a glimmer of hope.
Scudamore's letter points out that if it is proved West Ham did not properly
terminate their deal with the third party in the affair — MSI and Just Sport
Inc who owned Tevez — then further action, including a points deduction,
could yet be taken. Key to the issue is a clause in the deal which would
have allowed MSI and JSI to sell the player at any time. The Premier League
says Tevez was properly registered throughout. But it is West Ham's
termination of the clause in that deal last month that could give the Gang
of Four hope. Prior to the April 28 deadline the Premier League received a
letter from West Ham sent to Tevez, MSI and JSI terminating the private
agreement between them dated 30 August 2006. It also received a letter from
MSI and JSI acknowledging receipt of the letter and that the letter had been
served on Carlos Tevez personally.
In addition the PL board sought additional undertakings from West Ham.
However there appears to be no confirmation from the MSI or Tevez side that
the deal had actually been ended. This could be seen as a vital flaw.
Scudamore's letter says "if the Board has evidence these undertakings are
false or been breached, it will take all necessary steps to enforce Premier
League Rules. "In making these undertakings it could be that West Ham has
exposed itself to further legal challenge from third parties who may contest
the legality of that termination."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Atletico Madrid keen on West Ham's Zamora
tribalfooball.com - May 16, 2007

Atletico Madrid are interested in West Ham United striker Bobby Zamora.AS
says Atletico chiefs see Zamora as the perfect foil for their pacy attackers
Fernando Torres and Sergio Aguero.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham to go for Parker - Daily Mail
Last updated at 12:27pm on 16th May 2007

West Ham are set to make a £6million move for Newcastle's Scott Parker. Alan
Curbishley is being given significant funds to overhaul the squad this
summer after his side escaped relegation on the final day of the season. The
West Ham boss sees midfielder Parker, who he brought through the ranks at
Charlton, as the man to lead a revival at Upton Park. And his wages of
£50,000 a week would not pose a problem for the new regime. Curbishley
enquired about the 26-year-old in January, when his interest was rejected,
but it is thought Parker would be tempted by a move back to London. The
England player would be the first star to leave Newcastle following the
arrival of Sam Allardyce but the new boss is reported to be lining up Joey
Barton as a replacement. West Ham are not short of players in Parker's
position but doubts remain about the future of Nigel Reo-Coker.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bent Fee £15m - TWTD.com
By Philip Ham
Date: 16/5/2007

Charlton are reported to have slapped a £15 million price tag on former Town
striker Darren Bent. The Blues' summer transfer fund would be boosted by
£2.48 million if the Addicks manage to secure a fee at that level for Bent,
who is being linked with West Ham, Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal. Town are
due 20% of anything Charlton receive above the £2.6 million they have so far
paid for the frontman. The Blues could also receive another £400,000 with
£200,000 due after each of Bent's first two competitive appearances for
England. Earlier in the week, Spurs and West Ham were reported to be ready
to lodge bids of £10 million and £12 million respectively, with Martin Jol's
club understood to be heading the chase for the 23-year-old, along with
Everton. Arsenal are also believed to have watched Bent in action during the
final few games of the season

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FIFA may investigate - Newham Recorder
16 May 2007

THE CELEBRATIONS had hardly begun before the whinging and bleating began at
Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic, but it seems that it may have had some
effect as FIFA have begun to show an interest in the ongoing row over West
Ham. The Blades were relegated after losing at home to woeful Wigan, while
West Ham won at Old Trafford, but Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe was
quick to go on the offensive. He said: "I feel cheated because Sunday's
result was not the root cause of our relegation." He obviously hadn't
considered that it was also the previous 37 games that they had played, but
now FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stepped into the limelight where he
feels so at home. "We will look at this - and not only if we are asked, we
will do it anyway," he told a media briefing in Zurich on Tuesday morning.
"We will ask for the file once it has been decided how and why the decision
was made." This latest twist in the disciplinary saga takes yet more gloss
off West Ham's magnificent effort in winning seven of their last nine games
to stay up as well as their triumph at Old Trafford on Sunday. They will be
heartened by the fact that the Argentinian pair's signings were, according
to world football's governing body, "done correctly according to the
international transfer of players." However, FIFA have the power to deduct
points as well as impose other penalties on West Ham and though it would
seem very unlikely, while the uproar continues from certain clubs in and now
out of the Premiership, FIFA are bound to keep an interest in what is going
on. As to the legal action from Sheffield United and Wigan, that too looks
doomed to fail with each member of the Premiership having agreed to the
members on the independent panel that decided West Ham's punishment.

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Bent is a wanted man - Newham Recorder
16 May 2007

WEST HAM will make Charlton striker Darren Bent their top priority for next
season as the career of Carlos Tevez at Upton Park is set to come to an end.
The brilliant South American, fresh from his match-winning strike at Old
Trafford last Sunday, flew back to Argentina this week to consider his
future, but that is likely to be away from West Ham. Only last week,
chairman Eggert Magnusson hinted that he would be interested in keeping
Tevez at the club, but that means dealing with Iranian businessman Kia
Joorabchian, something that has proved disastrous for the club in the past.
If Tevez does decide to move - with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, said to be
interested in a bid of around £30million, then the Hammers are unlikely to
get a penny of it. Their only compensation in one of the notorious side
agreements in the player's contract, was a £100,000 pay-off, but now those
agreements have been ripped up, they will not even be entitled to that.
However, that will not deter them from making a £12million bid for
23-year-old Bent, who grabbed 15 goals in a relegation campaign for the
Addicks. West Ham made an enquiry about Bent in the January transfer window,
but were told they would not be selling him to a relegation rival, however,
now the way is clear for the Hammers to team him up with Dean Ashton next
season. Marlon Harewood and Teddy Sheringham are both set to leave and so
the signing of Bent will become a vital cog in West Ham's rebuilding with
only strikers Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole as well as Ashton still at the
club.

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Curbs does it the hard way - Newham Recorder
16 May 2007

ALAN CURBISHLEY walked around the Old Trafford pitch with his jubilant team
like a gatecrasher at a wedding celebration, writes DAVE EVANS. By the time
he reached the confines of the press room, the smile had gone and a
shellshocked, almost drained expression had appeared on his face - it was as
if he couldn't quite believe what had just happened - he wasn't the only
one. "To win seven out of nine is amazing," he said. "And if you consider
who we have played, to win it against the top teams has been absolutely
fantastic." It was the stuff of comic strips. Curbishley had turned from
saviour on his arrival to villain when relegation seemed inevitable, and
then to hero as The Great Escape was finally achieved at the home of the
Premiership champions and via their most controversial signing. "At one
stage the fans were shouting at the players, saying 'you're not fit to wear
the shirt', and to me telling me to four letter word back to Charlton
because they couldn't quite understand what was going on at their club,"
recalled the manager, who certainly had some dark times during his early
weeks at Upton Park. "I can't quite put my finger on what turned things
round," he confessed. "I've never come into a club mid-stream and I found it
very difficult. "There were lots of injuries, lots of things to contend
with, but since the Spurs game, I think that galvanised us, even though we
got done in the last minute."
One thing that did change around that time was West Ham's luck. Some say you
make your own luck, others that it evens out, but in the case of the Hammers
this season all their good luck seemed to be squeezed into the final 10
games of the season.
So what was the lowest point for the manager? "I came away from the Charlton
game very despondent," he admitted. "We didn't put up much of a show at my
old club, there were lots of injuries among the players I had signed and at
the time you couldn't see where another result was going to come from." The
manager continued: "But people close to the club said to me that if we pick
up a couple of results then you will see the difference in the players and
that is exactly what happened."
If Tottenham was the moment West Ham found their form, then it was Blackburn
where it started to bear fruit. Few could say that West Ham deserved to win
that day, but a controversial penalty and a shot that never crossed the line
gave them the points and began that season-saving run of seven wins from
nine games. The manager was quick to suggest who should take most of the
plaudits. "I give great credit to the players," he insisted. "Perhaps all
I've done is kept it low key, kept the training simple and the results have
picked up." He continued: "Lucas Neill and more recently Luis Boa Morte have
come into the side, but it has been the players that were here before I came
to the club that have done the business and it shows you what ability was
there."
It certainly does, but it also shows just how much these players were
underperforming earlier in the season. In the case of Carlos Tevez it is
perhaps understandable. A new country, a new language and much of the time
he was played out of position on the right wing. He didn't look 100 per cent
fit, didn't seem to know quite what his role was and previous manager Alan
Pardew had a similar problem with where to fit him into the line-up to the
point where he often didn't bother. Curbishley can certainly take some
credit for the Argentinian's resurgence, he simply moved him further up the
field and allowed the South American to hurt the opposition in their penalty
box - seven goals in 11 games followed. Taking a gamble on the likes of Mark
Noble, James Collins and George McCartney has certainly paid dividends too,
while a settled side has also enabled the players to find vital team spirit.
"We need a rest, so we will have a break and hopefully it will all hold us
in good stead for next season," said Curbishley. "I am already thinking
about next year and the pre-season preparations. I am big one for
pre-season. This campaign has been a big learning curve, I have certainly
learned an awful amount and hopefully so have the players."
Curbishley can breathe a huge sigh of relief. He doesn't have to worry about
the prospect of star names like Neill, Matty Upson, Rob Green and Dean
Ashton jumping ship as West Ham sunk into the Championship. He will now look
at his squad, see who is surplus to requirements, who might be a disruptive
influence as he tries to build his own team, and then decide who he might
need to sign. For two seasons running West Ham have played the last game of
the season and then watched as the opposition picked up a trophy, maybe next
year the tables can be turned.

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Blades blasts are just sour grapes - Newham Recorder
16 May 2007

UPTON PARKES EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

WELL, I said that West Ham were safe and I proved to be right, although I
don't think anyone expected Sunday to go quite the way it did. Certainly
Sheffield United didn't. Perhaps the fact that they only needed a draw
against Wigan unsettled the way they played because for me, they just
bottled it on the day. Wigan had to win and that probably helped them, but
Sheffield weren't quite sure how to play it and suffered because of it. I
think all the threats of legal action and slurs on Sir Alex at Manchester
United are really just a case of sour grapes. 'Fergie' doesn't owe anything
to Sheffield United, nor to West Ham for that matter. What he has to think
about is winning the FA Cup Final and that can be his only priority. I don't
agree that the team he picked was a weak one either and when I saw Scholes,
Ronaldo and Giggs coming on with half an hour still to go, I was getting
very nervous. Man United had something like 30 shots on the day so to say
that they weren't trying is ridiculous, but I think the players will always
be conscious of something like a Cup Final coming up.

Fulham

I remember after we made it into the 1980 FA Cup Final. We played at home to
Fulham shortly afterwards, who were absolute rubbish at the time (though
they usually were!). Obviously we were trying to win the game, but I don't
think you can help yourself from not going into a tackle quite as hard as
you normally would. Everyone wanted to play in the final and they didn't
want to jeopardize that - I think Fulham did us 3-2 that day! Sunday's
performance at Old Trafford was a magnificent one by the Hammers especially
considering what sort of pressure they were under. I won a couple of games
there myself in the mid-eighties and getting a victory at a fortress like
Old Trafford is always a great result. I remember the FA Cup replay there
where we were under a similar sort of pressure and I had to make quite a few
decent saves. Rob Green was doing that again on Sunday. I continue to be
impressed by him and what I like is the fact that he looks so comfortable in
making most of his saves. Some keepers fly all around the goal and that is
often because they are out of position, but for me, Green is always in
command of what he is doing.

Positioning

He made a great save from Ronaldo's header, which was down to positioning
more than anything, while he also stood up well to save from Ronaldo with
his body again. The player who really impressed me on Sunday though was
Yossi Benayoun. He was everywhere for me, getting back to head off the line,
block, make tackles, but more than that he was holding the ball up so well
at the other end. Ten weeks ago West Ham would have crumbled under pressure
like that but when you have players like Yossi passing it about, making runs
and giving the defence time to have a breather than it gives you more of a
chance to hold out. I think that is the best I have seen Yossi play in his
time at West Ham! The defence were also magnificent and I think that James
Collins has had a magnificent end to the season and thoroughly deserves his
place in the line-up.

Relegation

I don't think relegation would have been a disaster for West Ham. When you
look at the teams who went down last season, two of them have bounced back
automatically and I can't help thinking that West Ham would have done the
same, but staying up gives them a chance to push onwards and upwards. The
players would have hated what happened to them this season. They would not
have liked going into the last game not knowing what their future was and
hopefully that will be enough to ensure that they will not go through that
sort of agony again.
Looking at the nucleus of the team, it is one that should be pushing for a
European place rather than trying to avoid relegation and I think they will
certainly be in the top half next season.
That doesn't mean that there won't be an exodus of players from the club
because I still think there is a few that need to be shown the door. I think
Nigel Reo-Coker has already hinted that he may want to go, while Anton
Ferdinand, despite being a good player, I think may be someone who may be a
little disruptive in the dressing room. I would expect Paul Konchesky to go
as he seems to have a problem with the manager, while personally I would get
rid of Marlon Harewood, while I am not sure that Carlton Cole has the hunger
to succeed.

Ashton

On the plus side, Lucas Neill has proved himself to be an excellent player
and I would make him captain next season, while the return of Dean Ashton
has got to be a good thing, although it must be a worry that he has missed
the whole season. Lastly, a word for Alan Curbishley. He has had to take a
lot of criticism this season, but he has turned things round at the club and
given the players the confidence to go on a winning run. He doesn't let his
emotions run away with him, but he must have been so nervous on Sunday. What
Curbs has done is restore the team spirit in the ranks and that is so
important. Now he must get rid of the players that are going to hamper the
club's future, bring in players for the left back, left midfield and perhaps
centre midfield position and I think there is a rosy future ahead for our
beloved Hammers.

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Noble: We must prove ourselves - TeamTalk

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble has challenged the Upton Park players to
"prove ourselves" next season. The Hammers avoided relegation from the
Barclays Premiership with a dramatic 1-0 win at champions Manchester United
on the final day. Noble told the club's official website: "It was
unbelievable to go to Old Trafford and win to stay up. It's never been
better than this. The boys have dug in and we've played as a team for the
last three months. "Next season we can prove ourselves. We've got out of the
sticky patch of the difficult second season in the Premiership and we can
push on a do well and hopefully do as well as we did in the first season -
or better. "Everyone knows how important it is to this club, being in the
Premiership, and the East End is a happy place to be now."

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Fergie: Words were overplayed - Sky
By Steve Bramley - Created on 16 May 2007

Sir Alex Ferguson says he is still on speaking terms with Neil Warnock
despite their row over his team selection against West Ham. The Manchester
United boss upset Warnock when he left Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and
Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for his side's final Premiership game of the
season against The Hammers at Old Trafford. Alan Curbishley's side took full
advantage with Carlos Tevez scoring the winner which kept the Londoners in
the Premiership and effectively sent Warnock's Sheffield United down.
Warnock, who confirmed his resignation from the South Yorkshire club on
Wednesday, launched a bitter blast at Ferguson for his team selection. But
Ferguson said he has since spoken to Warnock to iron things out. "I have
spoken to Neil and he said his words were overplayed," said Ferguson. "He
was hoping I would play my strongest team but that was impossible. "I don't
think anyone could criticise us on Sunday. We did our best and we should
have won."

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The Times
May 16, 2007
Martin Samuels

It wasTévez's third party so cry if you want to, but a solution would be
better
The reason a yellow card cannot be changed to a red after the final whistle,
even if television evidence shows what appeared to be a careless elbow was
in fact a full-blown punch up the hooter, is that a match cannot be
rerefereed after the fact. The Premiership rebel clubs, it seems, would like
to rereferee the 2006-07 season. So how many points should West Ham United
have deducted for breaching rule U18? One? They stay up. Two? They stay up.
Or is the punishment that is sought the precise amount of points necessary
for Sheffield United to move above them on goal difference, allowing West
Ham to drop into the bottom three, now we know the outcome of all 380
matches?

In which case, the problem is not that the Independent Premier League
Commission sat too late, but too early. What an interesting precedent this
would set. Wait for the season to be over and then adjust the league table
on moral grounds. I don't know about you, but I've got Milton Keynes Dons
kicking off in Midland Football Alliance next year and AFC Wimbledon in the
Champions League.

West Ham got off lightly, we all know that. Privately, those at the helm of
the FA Premier League probably admit it, too. A points deduction would have
been a more fitting punishment, yet all 20 Premiership clubs signed up to
this disciplinary system and none added the rider "unless the decision does
not go our way".

Sheffield United deserve our sympathy. Yet the righteous anger that was so
appealing a few weeks ago has metamorphosed into the sort of wrongheaded
feeding frenzy that keeps Chris Morris, the media satirist, in pay cheques.
Latest to join the mob is Clive Betts, Labour MP for Sheffield Attercliffe,
who tabled an early day motion yesterday calling for West Ham to be docked
points.

Betts would, of course, know much about false paperwork, having been
suspended from the House of Commons for seven days in September 2003 for
copying a doctored document so that his Brazilian rent-boy escort, José
Gasparo, could stay in Britain. Betts also provided Gasparo with a Commons
pass, as his "researcher". Gasparo had worked out of a gay brothel in Earls
Court called Villa Gianni and stated that Betts had met him there and paid
him £70 for full sex. Johann Hari, writing in the Independent on Sunday,
described Villa Gianni as a "sleazy, dangerous environment". Still, it is
good that someone is willing to pull up his trousers and take a stand for
morality.

Now, back to the grubby world of football. Far from striking a chord with
every club, the truth is that, until the Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano
controversy blew up, many Premiership chairmen did not appreciate that rule
U18 even concerned players' contracts. The clause governing third-party
influence on policy and performance was considered to deal with club
ownership and be in place to prevent an investor having an interest in
multiple clubs. With reference to players, there is no equivalent of it in
many of the leagues around Europe.

Dave Whe*an, the Wigan Athletic chairman, has accused the Premier League of
creating a new transfer window to allow Tévez to be reregistered, but that
is wrong, too. Tévez was a West Ham player from August 31. He did not need
special dispensation. (Actually, once a player is at a club, his status can
be changed at any time. Tim Howard was on loan from Everton to Manchester
United and the deal became permanent on February 14, 2007, legally and
outside the window.)

The issue of Tévez's future transfer fee is also a red herring. Whe*an has
said that the deal cannot be legal unless West Ham receive the money, but
that is incorrect. West Ham own Tévez's registration and always have; the
matter of his transfer fee is a separate issue. Rio Ferdinand, Mark Viduka,
Dominic Matteo, Michael Duberry, Eirik Bakke, Danny Mills, Michael Bridges
and Olivier Dacourt, for instance, were bought by Leeds United on sale and
lease-back deals of the type that allows the club to continue playing at
Elland Road without owning it.

When Peter Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman at the time, broke the British
transfer record for Ferdinand in 2000, someone else paid. This third party
was reimbursed by Leeds over the period of the player's contract, plus
interest. In the event of falling short on payments, Ferdinand could be sold
to give the lender his money back. The defender's sale to Manchester United
in 2002 paid the debt for his purchase, and then some. Others did not. After
settling the loan, Leeds would not have received a transfer fee for the sale
of many players. This does not mean, however, that they did not own the
legal registrations. There are, in fact, similar agreements with banks and
lenders throughout football. The situation with Tévez is not unusual.

The suggestion that Tévez and Mascherano would not have been able to play
for West Ham this season is also false. Even had West Ham disclosed every
financial arrangement on the day of the transfer, the players would still
have been registered, even with unworkable contracts. The Premier League
lawyers would then have spent several days with club lawyers knocking out
each contractual arrangement that was not permitted, which is what happened
when Mascherano signed for Liverpool.

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, states that the large
majority of contracts with foreign players need work before being ratified.
There was one clause that brought the signing of Tévez and Mascherano into
dispute, which stated a third party could move the players on at any time.
Premier League policy is to register the player and then iron out such
wrinkles. Some may feel that this is too lenient, but it is safe to presume
that 20 clubs wish it to be this way, rather than work with a governing body
that prevents transfer activity rather than facilitates it.

This does not alter the fact that West Ham's officials lied. But would Tévez
and Mascherano still have played this season? Yes. Were they correctly
registered as West Ham players? Yes. Is the final destination of the
transfer fee an issue? No. And why are the rebel clubs not so vexed about
Everton leaving out the first-team goalkeeper against Manchester United
because of a gentleman's agreement between the clubs that was waved through
on the QT by the Premier League and would therefore appear equally baleful?
The cynic might suggest because it does not affect them.

So we can continue down the path of recrimination or we can act like
grown-ups and do something to ensure that this chaos does not happen again.
And that begins with abolishing the loan system. Loans from third parties,
loans from Europe, loans from Premiership or other English clubs. You buy a
player, he is yours. No half-measures and no possibility of third-party
interference.

Could West Ham have afforded to pay full price for Tévez and Mascherano in
August? No? Then there would have been no controversy. Would Manchester
United have sold Howard to Everton last summer, knowing they had Edwin van
der Sar and Ben Foster in reserve? Yes? Then he could have played against
them on April 28.

Now do you see the root of the problem? You cannot let something go and keep
it. You cannot run your shop with another man's stock. There is a meeting of
Premier League chairmen on May 31 and June 1, with the loan system on the
agenda. If the clubs do the right thing, it should be gone by next season.
Buy the players you can afford, sell the players you don't want. And if you
run short, that's your fault. Next season the club who finish bottom of the
Premiership will earn more from central distribution than the winners of the
Bundesliga in Germany. There is no excuse for not paying your way any more.

The contrary argument is that the loan system benefits the small clubs,
giving them access to players they could otherwise not afford. Hardly. Take
the trio of goalkeepers at Manchester United. It would have been impossible
for Sir Alex Ferguson to have kept Van der Sar, Foster and Howard happy, so
one would have left. And that goalkeeper would have been signed by a smaller
Premiership club, permanently, with no piece of elastic or gentleman's
agreement keeping him tied to Old Trafford.

As it stands, the richest clubs win both ways. Foster accrues experience at
Watford and returns to Old Trafford an England goalkeeper; but if he had
been allowed to tire of his lack of opportunity with United, perhaps he
would have moved and then another club would have ended up with the best
young goalkeeper in the country, increasing competition.

Similarly, if clubs had needed to buy Tévez and Mascherano outright, the
agents would have had to set a more realistic asking price than £30 million.
The loan system creates an unhealthy paternalistic system; the smaller clubs
creeping around their bigger rivals in the hope of receiving a crumb from
the plate. Will Arsène Wenger find it in his heart to toss Birmingham City
another trio of reserves (no wonder Karren Brady, the City managing
director, is one of the system's biggest champions)? Will Sir Alex Ferguson
bestow the honour of a raw, teenage full back on a managerial protégé?

Get rid of it. Get rid of it all. You want a player? You buy him. Your
money. Your contract. We can scream and squawk, but it shows what a mess
football has become that something so simple is considered a radical idea.
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