Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - III 15th May 2007

Collins delighted with final day accolade - WHUFC
15/05/2007 13:04

West Ham United centre-back James Collins was awarded the Man of the Match
accolade against Manchester United as the team clinched Premiership survival
with a 1-0 victory. But the Wales defender pinpointed the Hammers' 2-1 win
at Ewood Park almost two months ago as the turning point in the season. "It
was the bit of luck we had at Blackburn," he said. "Me and Nobes both came
into the side at the same time and we haven't looked back since. We started
at Blackburn, got a little bit of luck and it's all gone our way since,
pretty much. The confidence throughout the team was down but we got a bit of
luck and turned it around and, like I said, we haven't looked back since.
Seven wins out of nine is Champions League form. "We're around the top of
the form table. It's been a long, hard season and everyone was really
disappointed with the way it went but we're all really delighted we've
stayed up."
James was pleased to end the season on a high by picking up his award, but
even more delighted that the Hammers got the result they needed - and
deserved - at Old Trafford. "It's about time I think, because I've been
playing really well!" he said. "I'm delighted to come away with the win and
stay up. "We went into the game knowing it was in our own hands and full of
confidence from the last few results. We went to Old Trafford knowing we
could get a result and if we did it would be enough to keep us up. We
defended well and luckily Carlos nicked a goal for us."

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A load of Cobblers - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

West Ham United are expected to field a strong side tonight when they play
Northampton Town at Sixfields. Alan Curbishley's side travel up the A1 in
order to face a Northampton cup-winning side from 1997 - including current
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate - in a benefit match for former player
Andy Woodman, now a youth coach at West Ham. All bar Carlos Tevez - who is
now back home in Argentina - from Sunday's team are expected to feature at
some point. Tickets for the game - which kicks off at 7pm - are priced £10
for adults (£6 concessions, £3 for under-16s) and can be pre-purchased from
the Sixfields box office (0870 822 1966). 10% of all profits from tonight's
game will be donated to the Cobblers youth set-up.

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Magnusson on the move - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

United Chairman Eggert Magnusson has shelled out £3m on a brand new
Docklands penthouse. 60-year-old Magnusson showed he wasn't short of a few
bob when he paid the huge sum for the property - which features marble
flooring throughout plus two terraces - just weeks after the club were fined
£5.5m by the Premier League. Robert Weston, speaking for developers Weston
Homes, said of Eggy's new pad: "The penthouse showcases the best in design.
The space available at the super penthouse has allowed us to include every
imaginable luxury, experimenting with innovative designs giving us the
opportunity to develop a space surpassing buyer's expectations."
The Icelandic multi-millionaire has been living in London since last year
when he became involved in the bid to purchase West Ham United. Judging by
his latest purchase, it looks like he's here to stay.

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FIFA intervene in Tevez row - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Football's governing body FIFA have announced that they will investigate the
row over West Ham United's punishment for breaching league regulations. FIFA
President Sepp Blatter confirmed this morning that they would look into the
case - whilst adding that they have the power to overrule the Premier League
in the event that they disagree with the League comission's verdict. "We
will look at this - not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway," Blatter
told a press conference in Zurich. "A decision will have to be taken
immediately. "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."
* Bookies William Hill are offering odds of 10/1 that West Ham will be
docked points for next season's Premiership campaign.

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Fifa will investigate Tevez saga - BBC

Fifa is to investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points for
breaching rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. An
independent commission fined West Ham £5.5m but several Premiership clubs
felt the Hammers were let off lightly. Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "We
are monitoring the situation very carefully because we have the right to see
how such cases are dealt with. "If we feel something was wrong then we have
to open our file." He added: "Any decision would definitely be taken in time
for next season."

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 the 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 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.
The Fifa boss said a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against
Spanish Third Division side Rayo Vallecano means the world governing body
does have jurisdiction over individual clubs.
"Yes we have the power," said Blatter. "The Swiss federal court has made a
ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and the power
to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code, starting with a warning
and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of
points."
In the Rayo Vallecano case, the Spanish club had been threatened with
relegation if transfer fees owed to a Brazilian club were not paid. It
claimed, unsuccessfully, that Fifa did not have the power to do so.

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Fifa to investigate Tevez row - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 15 May 2007

Fifa has confirmed that it will step into the Carlos Tevez row and
investigate whether the Premier League were correct in their decision to
fine West Ham, rather than dock them points for breaching rules. West Ham
were hit with a £5.5million fine after an independent commission found the
club guilty of having a third-party agreement. The furore caused by the
Premier League's decision not to dock points incensed the other clubs that
were involved at the foot of the table, with relegated Sheffield United
proposing legal action. Uefa has previously confirmed that it will not
become embroiled in the on-going saga, but Fifa president Sepp Blatter is of
no such inclination, and he is planning a thorough investigation. "We will
look at this - and not only if we are asked, we will do it anyway," Blatter
told a media briefing in Zurich. "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 continued to
confirm that in terms of timescale a 'decision would have to be taken
immediately.' Fifa does have jurisdiction over individual clubs following a
ruling by the Swiss federal court and this means that should it see fit,
West Ham could be hit with further sanctions accordingly.
"Yes we have the power," Blatter concluded. "The Swiss federal court has
made a ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and
the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a
warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points." West Ham will, though, be relieved to hear Blatter state that
according to Fifa files, the transfer of Tevez and Javier Mascherano from
Corinthians had complied with international transfer regulations. "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."

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FIFA could enforce points deduction over Tevez - Soccernet

FIFA are to step into the Carlos Tevez row and will investigate whether West
Ham should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Sepp
Blatter, president of FIFA, said the game's world governing body had the
power to pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to
fine West Ham £5.5million for having a third-party agreement. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been
deducted points. Blatter 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 timescale a 'decision would have to be taken
immediately.' He added that according to FIFA's files the transfer of Tevez
and 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.'
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. He added: 'Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court
has made a ruling by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right
and the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with
a warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points.' 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.
However, the Premier League today insisted there was never any doubt about
Carlos Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The `Gang of Four' clubs,
who are lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape
with a fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano,
have raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence
was against the rules. He told The Sun: 'This has never been a question of
West Ham fielding an ineligible player. 'From the day they signed him, West
Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. 'West Ham
have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned
by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. 'The only problem
we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which
would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time.'

Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
'On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement.'
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: 'I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. 'Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. 'Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up.' But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. 'I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him.' The relegation issue is due to
reach the House of Commons today when a group of Sheffield MPs bring the
matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour representative for Sheffield
Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to call for West Ham to be
deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: 'The early day motion is
essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership competition has been
thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. 'West Ham have broken those
rules and they should have points deducted as a consequence.'

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FIFA to probe Hammers row - The Sun
May 15, 2007

FIFA will investigate whether West Ham should have been docked points over
the Carlos Tevez affair. President Sepp Blatter said football's world
governing body had the power to pass a final verdict on the decision to fine
West Ham £5.5million.They could question the independent commission's
punishment for the third-party agreement with MSI for the signings of Tevez
and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano. Several top-flight clubs are
considering legal action against the Premier League over the sanction,
claiming the Hammers should have been deducted points. Blatter said: "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 added that a "decision would have to be taken
immediately." But he warned that according to FIFA's files, the transfers
from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international
transfer regulations. Blatter said: "We will monitor this situation very
carefully. Once it 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."
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.
He added: "The Swiss federal court has made a ruling by saying that FIFA and
its associations have the right and the power to use all 14 sanctions of the
disciplinary code starting with a warning and ending with exclusion of a
member via relegation and deduction of points." In the Vallecano case, the
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.

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FIFA to investigate Tevez ruling - This Is London
15.05.07

FIFA are to step into the Carlos Tevez row and will investigate whether West
Ham should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Sepp
Blatter, president of FIFA, said the game's world governing body had the
power to pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to
fine West Ham £5.5million for having a third-party agreement. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been
deducted points. Blatter 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 timescale a "decision would have to be taken
immediately." He added that according to FIFA's files the transfer of Tevez
and 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."
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.
He added: "Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court has made a ruling
by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right and the power to use
all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a warning and ending
with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of points." 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.

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No Doubt Over Tevez - Premier League 15/05/07 - Soccer365

The Premier League say there was never any doubt about Carlos Tevez being
eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are lining up
to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a fine for
playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have raised
questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to continue
playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia Joorabchian
became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied that Tevez,
whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as Sheffield
United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was ever
ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence was
against the rules. He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of West
Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they signed him, West Ham
have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham have
never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia
Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem we had
with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which would
allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. "Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up."
But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him."
The relegation issue was due to reach the House of Commons on Tuesday when a
group of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts,
Labour representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and
was due to call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire
Post: "The early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the
Premiership competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear
rules. "West Ham have broken those rules and they should have points
deducted as a consequence."

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West Ham boss buys dream home in Docklands - thelondonpaper
Tuesday, 15 May 2007

West Ham United chairman Eggert Magnusson has forked out £3m for a super
penthouse - weeks after being hit with a £5.5m fine for using two players on
dubious contracts. The Hammers' supremo has splashed out for the swish
Docklands pad as he celebrates beating relegation to the Championship by the
skin of his teeth.
The Icelandic tycoon has shelled out for his new home at 41 Millharbour
after the club were hammered with the massive fine for signing Argentinian
striker Carlos Tevez and midfielder Javier Mascherano. The club was fined
after their contracts were deemed to be irregular. The stunning penthouse
works out at £1,000 per sq ft for Magnusson, the former president of the
Football Association of Iceland. His plush new home, built by developers
Weston Homes, has a champagne fridge in the kitchen and a home cinema system
wired throughout the apartment, "creating the ultimate luxury London living
space". With a huge reception room, the Hammers' owner will be able to
entertain many guests - maybe new signings for his claret and blue army.
Many of the penthouse's walls are made of glass and with floor-to-ceiling
windows, Magnusson will have a spectacular view over Docklands. The kitchen
will be decked out with a wealth of luxury products and gadgets, including
four American style fridge-freezers with icemaker and water coolers. With
marble flooring and two terraces, one with a bar and water feature, any
possible signings are going to be convinced to come to east London in luxury
surroundings. Magnusson will also have the pleasure of a walk-in dressing
room complete with en suite spa bathroom, which boasts a tub equipped with a
surround sound system and mounted TV.
Robert Weston, chairman of Weston Homes, said: "The penthouses at 41
Millharbour showcases the best in Weston Homes design. "The space available
at the super penthouse has allowed us to include every imaginable luxury,
experimenting with innovative designs giving us the opportunity to develop a
space surpassing buyer's expectations."

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Tevez was always eligible to play for West Ham, say Premier League - This Is
London
15.05.07

The Premier League have insisted there was never any doubt about Carlos
Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are
lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a
fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have
raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence
was against the rules. He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of
West Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they signed him, West
Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham
have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned
by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem
we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which
would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League
with written evidence of the new arrangement."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished. "Carlos did not
want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham
up." But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him."
The relegation issue is due to reach the House of Commons today when a group
of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour
representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to
call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The
early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership
competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. "West
Ham have broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a
consequence."

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Jol ready for £10m striker bid Tue, May 15 2007 12:57 - EatSleepSport

Tottenham have entered the race to sign Darren Bent from Charlton and could
be ready to make a £10million bid. Bent looks destined to be leaving
Charlton after they were relegated to the Championship and Tottenham along
with West Ham and Newcastle are all said to be keen. Spurs boss Martin Jol
will have a vacancy in his striking department this summer as he looks set
to let Mido leave and should have the funds to draft in England
international Bent. Bent would form one of the most lethal attacks in the
Premiership if he linked up with Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain
Defoe, but the player would want guarantees regarding first-team football,
something Jol would not be able to give. Addicks boss Alan Pardew is already
facing up to the prospect of losing his star man and admits the player wants
Premiership football. "I think the decision on Darren will be a financial
decision not a football one," Pardew revealed. "He's a fantastic player. In
all honesty, when you look at him as a character, the goals he offers and
the work-rate, it's a real premium player you are talking about. "I think he
knows his England chances will be restricted in the Championship, so he'll
be looking to The Premiership. We'd love to keep him, but it's something
we'll have to talk about."

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Fifa to investigate in West Ham transfers row - Telegraph
By Teleghraph online
Last Updated: 1:26pm BST 15/05/2007

World football's governing body Fifa are to investigate whether West Ham
should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules over their
signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. President Sepp Blatter said
Fifa had the power to pass a final verdict on the case following an
independent commission's decision to fine West Ham £5.5 million for having a
third-party agreement, rather than imposing a points penalty. Several
Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League
over the commission's sanction. Blatter 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 timescale a "decision would have to be
taken immediately."
He added that according to Fifa's files the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano
from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had complied with international
transfer regulations. Blatter said Fifa had the "right and the
responsibility" to investigate such cases. Citing a recent case invloving
the Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, Blatter said: "The Swiss federal court has
made a ruling by saying that FIFA and its associations have the right and
the power to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a
warning and ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction
of points."

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Tevez-Mascherano: The Issues

The case: 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.

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 £5.5 million 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".

The protest: The Premier League's commission 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 £5.5 million 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".

Tevez: 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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifa to investigate Tevez saga
'We will look at this case - and not only if we are asked, we will do it
anyway'
Staff and agencies
Tuesday May 15, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Fifa will step into the Carlos Tevez row and investigate whether West Ham
should have been docked points for breaching Premier League rules. Fifa
president Sepp Blatter said the game's world governing body had the power to
pass a final verdict on an independent commission's decision to fine West
Ham £5.5m for having a third-party agreement in Tevez's contract. Several
clubs are considering legal action against the Premier League over the
commission's sanction, claiming the Hammers should have been deducted
points. Blatter 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 a recent ruling by the Swiss federal court against Spanish
third division side Rayo Vallecano meant Fifa does have jurisdiction over
individual clubs. "Yes we have the power. The Swiss federal court has made a
ruling by saying that Fifa and its associations have the right and the power
to use all 14 sanctions of the disciplinary code starting with a warning and
ending with exclusion of a member via relegation and deduction of points."
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 does not have the power to do so. Blatter
said any judgement would be swift. He added that according to Fifa's files
the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West
Ham had complied with international transfer regulations. Tevez was a vital
instrument in rescuing West Ham from relegation, and he scored the winning
goal in West Ham's 1-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend, a result
that ensured the club's Premiership status next season.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fifa to investigate Tevez verdict
Times Online and Agencies

Fifa are to step into the Carlos Tevez situation and will investigate
whether West Ham United should have been docked points for breaching Premier
League rules. Sepp Blatter, president of Fifa, said the game's world
governing body had the power to pass a final verdict on an independent
commission's decision to fine West Ham £5.5million over the transfer of
Tevez and fellow Argentinian Javier Mascherano. The club were penalised for
having an agreement with a third party over the ownership of the players.
Several Premier League clubs are considering legal action against the
Premier League over the commission's sanction, claiming the London club
should have been deducted points. Blatter 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 also said that a "decision would have to be taken
immediately". He added that, according to Fifa's files, the transfer of
Tevez and Mascherano from Brazilian side Corinthians to West Ham had
complied with international transfer regulations.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League: No Tevez problem - EuroSport

West Ham team pageWhelan leads legal fight against HammersWhelan calls for
points deductionsThe Premier League have insisted there were never any
doubts over the eligibility of West Ham striker Carlos Tevez. The
Argentinian signed for the Hammers last summer but details of his ownership
were shrouded in mystery, and the club were ultimately fined £5.5 million
for signing a player who was subject to a third party influence, in this
case Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian. Tevez continued to play for West
Ham after the inquiry, and while his form and goals over the last month have
done a great deal to keep the Hammers in the Premiership, several clubs have
questioned the players' right to have been on the pitch in the first place.
But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied the claims made by the
so-called 'Gang of Four' - Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham -
insisting that Tevez was legally entitled to have taken part in the run-in
to the end of the season. "This has never been a question of West Ham
fielding an ineligible player," Johnson told the Sun. "From the day they
signed him, West Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an
issue. "West Ham have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier
Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the
rules. "The only problem we had with the deal was the existence of a clause
in the agreement which would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to
another club at any time."
Following the inquiry, the Premier League sent a letter to West Ham which
proved Tevez was eligible to play, although it has not yet been made public.
"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the
third-party agreement with Joorabchian," Johnson added. "They presented the
Premier League with written evidence of the new arrangement." Wigan owner
Dave Whelan has called to see "concrete evidence" of the termination of
Tevez' original contract, and is thought to be keen to see the letter. Even
though Wigan avoided the drop last weekend, Whelan has vowed to fight
alongside Sheffield United - who would not have been relegated had West Ham
been docked points as punishment - for a more thorough investigation into
the affair.

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

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - II 15th May 2007

Lucas reflects on survival battle - WHUFC
15/05/2007 11:00

Having signed for West Ham United in January, Australian international Lucas
Neill has been an integral part of the Club's resurgence to clinch
Premiership survival. But the defender insists the credit should be taken
collectively. "It has been a big team effort from the back room staff
through to the players," he said. "To go to Arsenal away and Old Trafford
and win is a phenomenal effort. Seven wins out of 9 is the kind of form that
puts you in the Champions League and not in the bottom four. "For me the
turning point was the Tottenham game, which is weird because that's when
everyone had written us off. I actually thought that was when we showed we
had a chance because of how we played. "If we'd had a bit of confidence and
a bit of belief we wouldn't have thrown away the leads that we did. We
worked hard and we built from it and we are where we are now."
Lucas believes confidence was the vital missing ingredient from some of the
Hammers' performances earlier in the season. "It's all about belief and
confidence," he said. "Once you go out and believe you can win any game,
there's no reason why you can't go out and beat anyone. We've proven that.
"It was like the fans, we lost them before the Tottenham game because they
thought that was it, then we won them back and got them believing. They were
the proverbial twelfth man."
The 29-year-old was relieved to help ensure the Hammers' Premiership future,
but insists there is far better to come. "I came here, not so much for this
season, but for next; to build and to buy into the Chairman's dream," said
Lucas. "He's a very ambitious man and he's a big football man. "He wants to
do really well and this is as much for him and his gamble as it is for us.
You'll see bigger and better things at West Ham now - and what we've got
going for us is fans. "We've got 50 - 60, 000 fans, they're all London
people and we have to produce bigger and better football teams and go from
strength to strength. The most important thing is that we never end up in
this position again."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez in demand - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Kia Joorabchian has claimed that 'two of the biggest clubs in the world' are
in the hunt to sign Carlos Tevez. Joorabchian, speaking last night also
revealed that the 23-year-old stiker is yet to begin discussions with regard
to this future - although a return to East London hasn't yet been fully
ruled out. "I went out to dinner with Carlos last night," said Joorabchian,
"but there was not one word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear
they wanted to sign him but I told them to wait until the season had
finished - Carlos did not want to discuss his future as he was so wrapped up
in wanting to keep West Ham up. "I'll go to the Champions League final,
then talk to the clubs who want to buy him. I'll sit down with West Ham,
too, if they want to talk to me about keeping him because you never know.
But there are two of the biggest clubs in the world who want him."
One club ruled out of making a move for the Argentinian so far are
Liverpool, who had previously registered an interest. "I often speak with
Rafa Benitez," added Joorabchain. "After all, I do have a player with
Liverpool. "But we haven't discussed Carlos. The clubs that are interested
will have their chance once Carlos has come down from his high and has time
to think about his future."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sour Grapes? - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 15th May 2007
By: Tross

Some may say, yet in the truest reflection of Aesop's Fables the purists
amongst us will recount that the fox only feigned disdain for the grapes
after he could not attain them. Oh the tribulation. The suffering and
hardship. How does one deal with the distress? Then again being well
en-route to my third marriage, my experience of the aforementioned emotions
is vast and still lives vividly in the memory.
As a businessman, in my early days I lost a number of rather lucrative
contracts to my competitors. The reasons for this were plentiful in my mind.
They were better established, they were bigger, had more men, had somebody
on the inside, bought the contract manager, political clout ... the list was
endless, and my grapes were indeed sour. It wasn't until I actually began to
identify my company and indeed my personal shortcomings and take ownership
of these situations, that I found the courage required (in some rather
choice grapes from the Rioja Valley if memory serves me right) to analyse
our own activities with some harsh "How?" and "Why?" questions that the
solution became abundantly clear.
Our opportunity for success was always in our hands. Yes there were
obstacles placed in our way. The ones we couldn't beat head on, we learned
to go around, over or under. We choose no longer to blame the obstacle for
our misgivings. If we lost a tender or contract, it was because WE, as a
collective were not good enough. To poor scorn on the successes of others
and undertake a smear campaign would have been to damage the reputation of
this business. As a company we had too much self respect, as a man, my pride
and honour would no longer allow me to hide behind a lame excuse.
So to football, and namely having first hand experience of relegation on a
number of occasions as a West Ham United fan, I always endeavour to show
compassion to a relegated football club.
Yet I am finding grave difficulty in finding any empathy whatsoever with
Kevin McCabe, Neil (Colin) Warnock and the board of Sheffield United
Football club. The very rules made and agreed to by them, the fabric and
indeed very mettle that constitutes their argument is what they propose to
overturn and have all but began a mutiny against the very institution of
which they wish to be a part of.
A breach of the rules by West Ham United Football Club was undoubtedly made.
Whether this was made intentionally or not is another debate for another
time. A punishment for the breech was administered by the powers that be,
based on the information available to them at the time. These powers were
approved and granted authority by the very parties that now feel it is
reasonable for them to challenge the said authority which they had less than
a year ago empowered. (Don't it make you dizzy)!
Quite simply they have pinned their hopes of success on the failure of
others, a mistake of mammoth proportion in any walk of life. How the
pre-match attitudes at Brammal Lane differed; Warnock's interview
highlighting his expectation of Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson. In
the starkest of contrasts, the then Wigan manager Paul Jewell's approach was
one of focus on the task in hand, rejecting the game at Old Trafford's
influence and depicting to the wise amongst us a glimpse of what to expect
from his team. One wonders if his refusal to have his integrity tarnished by
the actions of his chairman was the driving factor in his resignation, or
perhaps he seeks a position at club with a real cause to follow.

The constant ranting and allegations of Machiavellian antics at West Ham
United and at the Premier League must stop. This is England, not Italy for
the love of God.

West Ham as a club finally accepted its position and the challenges ahead of
it after the 3-4 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. With a renewed zest for
the game and a shared passion the team faced the remainder of the season,
their shortcomings and the media circus of a seasons events shut out at last
and the control firmly in the hands of the new manager Alan Curbishley.

A monumental task was performed; similar to that of Portsmouth just a few
seasons ago, which incidentally was met with an abundance of praise for
Harry Redknapp from the media. As the season closes, no team in the
Premiership has better form than the East Enders, a team which has twice
beaten the newly crowned Champions, I hasten to add. For anybody to further
profess that West Ham do not deserve or have not earnt their premiership
status for 2007/2008, they are little more than extending an unnecessary
exercise in self denial. The teams that were good enough for the Premiership
stayed up. Those who weren't, didn't.

Perhaps Colin the merchant banker could sit down and reflect on his teams'
performances this season, and had his board shown as much enthusiasm earlier
in the season, dare I suggest invested a tad more time and money into
affairs concerning the team, somewhere in there he and they may find the
salvation they seek.

Yet some of the answers they so desperately crave, they appear void of the
courage required to ask. This from a town world renowned for none other than
its steel. The storm in this old cockney teacup will soon blow over, long
before the board or management of Sheffield United will be savouring the
fruits of the premiership vine. The Blades and their new found friends may
have tried to cut us down.
Alan Curbishley and HIS team have pulled off the great escape.
Let us celebrate and look forward to what promises to be an interesting
close season.
UNITED WE STAND

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Two giants 'vying for Tevez' - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 15 May 2007

Kia Joorabchian claims that two of world football's biggest clubs are
looking to sign Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez this summer. Despite
leading West Ham to safety with seven goals in his last ten games, Tevez is
expected to depart Upton Park when the transfer window opens after
attracting huge controversy over the terms of his signing from Corinthians
in August. Joorabchian is the man at the middle of the row due to a clause
in Tevez's original contract which allowed his company MSI to sell the
striker at any time. Whilst legal action from relegated Sheffield United
remains a possibility, the Iranian-born businessman is now looking ahead to
Tevez's possible options in the summer, with Internazionale, Liverpool and
Real Madrid all linked with the three-time South American Player of the
Year. Joorabchian maintains that no decisions have yet been made regarding
Tevez's future, although two European giants appear to be in the chase for
the Hammers hero. "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. He was
ecstatic. There was not one word about his future," Joorabchian told the
Daily Express. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign him but I
told them to wait until the season had finished. "Carlos did not want to
discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham up.
"I'll go to the Champions League final, then I'll talk to the clubs who want
to buy him. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk to me about
keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the biggest clubs
in the world who want him."
Speculation regarding a possible switch to Liverpool, to join former West
Ham and Corinthians team-mate Javier Mascherano, has been growing, but
Joorabchian has played down talk of an imminent move to Anfield despite
having dinner with Rafa Benitez. "I often do that - after all, I do have a
player with Liverpool," Joorabchian added. "But we haven't discussed Carlos.
"The clubs that are interested will have their chance once Carlos has come
down from his high and has time to think about his future."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs: It's a learning curve - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 15 May 2007

West Ham's miserable Premiership campaign will only make the London club
stronger, according to manager Alan Curbishley. The Hammers clung onto
their Premiership status thanks to a 1-0 win at Manchester United on the
final day of the season, concluding a campaign that has witnessed a change
of manager, a change in ownership and deep controversy over the arrivals of
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Prior to the run of seven wins in nine
games that dragged the club out of the relegation zone, West Ham supporters
had vented their anger at the team and Curbishley after witnessing a decline
in performances. However, Curbishley hopes all the personal attacks and
testing times will only help his side endeavour to come back stronger next
season. "There was a spell when the fans were telling the players they
weren't fit to wear the shirt and they were also having a go at me," said
Curbishley in The Mirror. "They were saying things like 'f*** off back to
Charlton' and all that sort of stuff because they were so upset at what was
happening to the club. "You could understand their feelings. This time last
year they had been to the FA Cup Final and had enjoyed a good season in the
league. "But I think it was coming home from the FA Cup Final when the
problems really started. "Three or four players needed operations then Dean
Ashton got injured in the build-up to the start of the season. After that
one or two players got injured when the season started. "There were other
problems, like losing three or four games on the spin, which was something
they never had to deal with before. "So it's been a real learning curve and
I hope everyone has learned from it. I certainly have. Hopefully all this
will stand us in good stead for next season."
Curbishley also admitted he cannot wait to have some of his key players fit
again at the start of the next campaign. "We're already thinking about next
season and looking forward to it," Curbishley added. "We look forward to
welcoming back one or two of the big-hitters like Dean Ashton, Matthew Upson
and Danny Gabbidon."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gomes linked to Hammers - Sky
By Steve Bramley - Created on 15 May 2007

Benfica's Nuno Gomes says he is ready to make a move to the Premiership. The
30-year-old Portuguese striker is believed to be a target of West Ham. Gomes
has been watched by scouts from Upton Park and has spoken to his Portugal
team-mate Luis Boa Morte about a possible £3million move to the East End.
"It is an attractive opportunity to play in England because I have always
enjoyed watching it on television," Gomes told the Daily Mirror. "I have
watched my Portuguese team-mates Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira and it
makes me believe I can make a move to England. "I'm happy at Benfica but a
proposition to Europe would be my last big deal. I am ready for an English
adventure."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
League looks to calm Tevez row - Sky
By Tom Adams - Created on 15 May 2007

The Premier League has moved to underline that at no point was Carlos Tevez
ineligible to play for West Ham, with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan calling for
a new hearing into the controversial signing of the Argentinian forward. The
bitter dispute over West Ham's acquisition of Tevez last August threatens to
rumble on throughout the summer, with Sheffield United plotting possible
legal action after their relegation on the final day of the season. The
so-called 'Gang of Four' - The Blades, Wigan, Fulham and Charlton - are
still insistent that The Hammers should have been deducted points for
irregularities in the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, and are
believed to have been joined in their crusade by Middlesbrough. The Premier
League will seek to explain the complicated situation to all clubs on
Tuesday, but spokesman Dan Johnson has insisted the league have no qualms
with Tevez's registration, either before or after the independent
commission's findings when The Hammers re-registered the star outside the
transfer window.
"This has never been a question of West Ham fielding an ineligible player,"
Johnson told The Sun. "From the day they signed him, West Ham have owned his
registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham have never tried to
conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian
and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem we had with the
deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which would allow
Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time. "On the day of
the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the third-party
agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League with written
evidence of the new arrangement."
However, Whelan believes that the disaffected clubs could have a case with
regards Tevez's second registration, with the Latics chairman claiming that
a new hearing must be established to ensure justice is done. "We cannot
reverse the decision the commission came out with," said Whelan. "It is
impossible - they were appointed by the Premier League and all the clubs
agreed these people would take charge of the case. "But now we are saying he
[Tevez] has been registered illegally for a second time. Who owns him? Where
will this £30million be going we are told he is now going for? "We need a
new hearing because he has been registered illegally again. That should be
another fine or points deduction. "What we can look at is how they opened a
new transfer window to sign an illegal player. "He was illegal, they were
fined £5.5million for playing an illegal player all season. Then they open a
new window from a Friday at 4pm and leave it open until midday the following
day to register him and play against Wigan. "When [Javier] Mascherano went
to Liverpool, it took five weeks to get clearance - and they used the same
contract. "I cannot believe the Premier League will allow these things to
happen and put Sheffield United into the Championship and leave West Ham in,
it is not right, not fair."
The rift currently afflicting the Premier League will also reach political
circles on Tuesday as a group of Sheffield MPs will raise the issue in
Parliament. Labour MP Clive Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The early day
motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership competition
has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. "West Ham have
broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a consequence."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs, Everton battle for West Ham's Reo-Coker
tribalfooball.com - May 15, 2007

Tottenham are waiting in the wings for West Ham United midfielder Nigel
Reo-Coker. The Mirror says Spurs boss Martin Jol had targeted 23-year-old
Reo-Coker, who is disillusioned at West Ham after claiming he has been
singled out for abuse by fans. Spurs were hot favourites to land Reo-Coker
but their interest has cooled and they will bide their time. Everton boss
David Moyes is watching developments and Sunderland's Roy Keane could be in
the frame.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham ahead of Spurs for Charlton ace Bent
tribalfooball.com - May 15, 2007

Tottenham and West Ham United are battling to keep Charlton Athletic ace
Darren Bent in London next season. The Daily Mail says Spurs are considering
a £10million move for Bent but could be gazumped by West Ham's £12m move for
the England forward, who would link up once again with former Addicks boss
Alan Curbishley. Sam Allardyce could also be interested in making Bent his
first signing as Newcastle United manager with Obafemi Martins heading to
either Juventus or Valencia.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Spurs exit Hammer hunt? - RedandWhiteBarmy
By Anthony Edwards
Date: 15/5/2007

SUNDERLAND have been put on alert over the future of West Ham United
midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. The England Under 21 captain had been expected
to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but Spurs are thought to be having
second thoughts about signing the midfielder. Roy Keane has already stated
that he is looking to bring in some players with Premiership experience
ready for the Black Cats return to the top flight and could be set to move
for the unsettled Hammers star. Reo-Coker revealed yesterday that he will
meet with the West Ham management later this week to discuss his future at
Upton Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mc Babe Throws His Toys At West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 15 May, 2007 - 10:19.

This headline does not have a typographical error, but is designed to remind
the Sheffield United Chairman that his surname is McCabe, not Mc'Babe'. The
People of Sheffield are known as salt of the earth, from the old foundries
through to the terraces they had a reputation of being hard but fair, but
also for being men. The pathetic snivelling of their chairman does not serve
the Blades supporters well, if he had devoted any where near as much energy
and time in backing his team and trying to galvanise them for the
Premiership run in as he did in criticising West Ham and bleating for a
points deduction, then his team might not have found themselves playing for
their survival on the final day of the season.

Likewise Dave Whiner's actions hardly helped his club and were instrumental
in Paul Jewell resigning as manager less than 24 hours after ensuring
Wigan's Premiership safety at the expense of Sheffield United. Jewell is a
footballing man well respected by the other league managers, he became
increasingly irritated by his chairman's constant mouthing off to the press
that he told him to "gag it" as his comments were having a negative effect
on the team's morale, it was as if Whiner didn't believe the club would stay
up on their own merits.

Expect the 'gang of four' to become the 'gang of one' eventually, Fulham
won't make too much noise because they know that their Premiership survival
was handed to them on a plate by Liverpool fielding a reserve team against
them in the fixture at Craven Cottage that was won by Lawrie Sanchez's team
1-0. Charlton have too many Hammers connections to make a fuss and also
there could well be a fair amount of player movement between the two clubs,
especially in the possible loan deals for players such as Mullins, Bowyer,
Etherington, Quashie, Dailly, Pantsil, Carroll, Mears and Konchesky, all
favourites of Alan Pardew.
Eggert Magnusson will really push the boat out to try to keep the Apache
that is Carlitos Tevez at the Boleyn, the Chairman's logic being that
enormous financial cost could be offset by sponsorship and TV money to the
point where the deal could almost be self financing, to be honest such a
deal HAS to be self financing because it would be foolhardy for the Club to
invest it's entire transfer budget on just one player! What if Carlitos
received a 'Deano' while training or playing for Argentina? His performances
towards the end of the season will surely see him included in the Argentine
International team again. It would be truly wonderful for West Ham
supporters if the club do manage to hold on to Carlitos, if only for another
season, but sometimes a club has to think with it's head and not it's heart,
Hammers cannot afford to buy the player of the year outright (£35 Million),
it would just be one big signing too far, at least for now! - Ed

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Close shave can help Hammers - boss Tue, May 15 2007 10:51 -
EatSleepSport

Alan Curbishley is backing himself and West Ham's players to use this
season's flirt with relegation to be a lot better team next term. The
former Charlton boss, who took over from the sacked Alan Pardew at Upton
Park in December, helped drag the Londoners out of the relegation mire with
seven wins from their final nine games after they looked as good as down, 10
points adrift at the bottom of the table in March. And, with injuries to key
players, stinging criticism from the fans, plus the furore over the arrivals
of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Curbishley feels they have all coped
remarkably well to stay up and he thinks that will help them progress in the
future. He told The Mirror: "There was a spell when the fans were telling
the players they weren't fit to wear the shirt and they were also having a
go at me. "You could understand their feelings. This time last year they had
been to the FA Cup Final and had enjoyed a good season in the league. "But
I think it was coming home from the FA Cup Final when the problems really
started. "Three or four players needed operations then Dean Ashton got
injured in the build-up to the start of the season. After that one or two
players got injured when the season started. "There were other problems,
like losing three or four games on the spin, which was something they never
had to deal with before. "So it's been a real learning curve and I hope
everyone has learned from it. I certainly have. Hopefully all this will
stand us in good stead for next season."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez was always eligible to play for West Ham, say Premier League - Daily
Mail
Last updated at 10:48am on 15th May 2007

The Premier League have insisted there was never any doubt about Carlos
Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are
lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a
fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have
raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence
was against the rules. He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of
West Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they signed him, West
Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue. "West Ham
have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned
by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules. "The only problem
we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which
would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration. "On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham
chose to terminate the third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They
presented the Premier League with written evidence of the new arrangement."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. "Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished.
"Carlos did not want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting
to keep West Ham up."
But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff
challenge to keep Tevez. "I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk
to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the
biggest clubs in the world who want him."
The relegation issue is due to reach the House of Commons today when a group
of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour
representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to
call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The
early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership
competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. "West
Ham have broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a
consequence."

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Colchester Linked With Sheringham - Vital Football

Colchester United`s resident Internet-based fans have been mulling over the
rumour that West Ham`s Ted Sheringham, out of contact, would consider a move
to Colchester United. The former England international, 41, has a house in
Witham and is has mentored fellow Hammer, and U`s loanee, Hogan Ephraim, who
this season declared the ex-Manchester United star as his hero. Signing
Sheringham, whose only remaining career ambition is to play with, or
against, his son Charlie, would be a great coup for the U`s. Charlie
currently plays for Crystal Palace in the Championship.

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Stage set for the Hammers - Northampton Chronicle

WEST HAM'S Premiership stars will turn out against the Cobblers' 1997
Wembley winners in the Andy Woodman benefit match at Sixfields tonight.
Woodman is goalkeeping coach at the youth academy at Upton Park, and manager
Alan Curbishley has promised him he will be bringing all the big guns to
Northampton. The Hammers' official website is advertising that the
full first team will play, and that means the likes of Anton Ferdinand,
Bobby Zamora and Nigel Reo-Coker should be strutting their stuff against
Woodman, Ray Warburton, Ian Sampson, John Frain and co. But the Hammers'
man-of-the-moment Carlos Tevez won't be involved, as it has been reported
today he has already flown back to Argentina. But it should still be a
strong Hammers side, and Woodman declared: "I kid you not when I say this,
it will be the full squad. "It is not going to be a bunch of people you have
never heard of, it is the first team squad."
It should be a great night, especially as the Hammers are still in the party
mood following their Premiership 'great escape', their survival being sealed
with Sunday's 1-0 win at champions Manchester United.
Woodman is really looking forward to the game, which he says at last offers
him the chance to say goodbye to the Cobblers supporters. "The fact of the
matter is I never really did get chance to say goodbye to the fans," said
Woodman. "And I think you would be hard pressed to find a player that has
had such a rapport with the fans. "Obviously that was proven when they voted
for me for the BBC Grandstand Cult Heroes poll a couple of years ago, which
was a real honour for me. "Whenever I've come back here with numerous
clubs, they have given me great support.
"The other week I came out on the pitch (at half-time v Chesterfield) and I
was probably more nervous that day than when I played here! "Straight away
they sang my name.The rapport is fabulous and to be honest, I just think
that this place is where I had my happiest memories in football."
There will certainly be plenty of memories rekindled at Sixfields tonight,
with the team from that famous day at Wembley donning the claret and white
for one last time.Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate – Woodman's best
friend – is also set to turn out for the Cobblers, along with the likes of
John Gayle, Ian Clarkson, Jason White and Dean Peer, while Ian Atkins is
managing the team. A big crowd is expected at Sixfields tonight for what is
a 7pm kick-off. Tickets, which are £10 for adults (£6 concessions, £3 for
under-16s), can still be pre-purchased from the Sixfields box office or by
calling 0870 822 1966. Ten per cent of all profits from tonight's game will
be donated to the Cobblers youth set-up.

Last Updated: 15 May 2007

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Hammers row continues despite great escape - The Times
Football by Mike Brewer

West Ham United are 5-1 with Paddy Power to start next season in the
Coca-Cola Championship as the row over Carlos Tevez and the ruling of the
league's independent commission rumbles on. The Hammers completed their
great escape with a 1-0 win away to Manchester United on Sunday. Alan
Curbishley's team had been 1-66 to be relegated in March, but success at Old
Trafford meant that they finished the campaign by picking up 21 points from
their final nine fixtures. However, it seems that West Ham are still not
guaranteed safety because backing for the so-called "Gang of Four" -
Sheffield United, Wigan, Fulham and Charlton - is growing. West Ham were
fined £5.5million for irregularities over the signings of Argentinians
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano but many thought that they should have
had a points deduction. Had it been just a three-point penalty the Irons
would have been relegated instead of the Blades. However, Paddy Power
believe that the league will not belatedly dock points and offer just 1-10
that West Ham will be in the Premiership next season. Darren Haines,
spokesman for Paddy Power, said: "The Premier League will be loath to
reverse their decision and unfortunately for Sheffield United it looks like
being too little too late. We think the Tevez inspired West Ham has survived
for another season and the betting reflects that." Meanwhile, Ladbrokes
make Sheffield United 7-4 to win promotion next season. Charlton Athletic
are 11-10 to go straight back up, with Watford 7-4.

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Tevez & NRC Off for Bent Deal - Hammers Mad
By Plymouth_hammer Tuesday 15th May 2007

Alan Curbishley will lose Carlos Tevez before the start of next season and
current club Captain Nigel Reo-Coker will also leave the Hammers. Tevez
looks set for a move to one of Europe's major football teams with AC Milan,
Real Madrid and Sevilla all touted as possible destinations for Hammers
hero. Reo-Coker, whose poor form and attitude this season has made him a
target for supporters, will definitely leave. His dream move to one of the
top four sides will not happen though, after their interest in the player
cooled significantly. Spurs or Everton look likely destination for the
England U-21 Captain.
Curbishley will also clear out a number of fringe players in order to make
way for a £12 million bid for relegated Charlton striker Darren Bent. Curbs'
is planning on bringing in his former Charlton protégé to play with a fresh
and injury-free Dean Ashton next season.

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Make the Premier League 21 Clubs - The Sheffield Star

SHEFFIELD United plc chairman Kevin McCabe wants the Premier League to look
at the possibility of reinstating the Blades into the Premiership. "It is
certainly a possibility," he said as support mounted for United's cause
among other clubs in the wake of the West Ham Carlos Tevez affair. "Why
can't the Premier League be extended for one season to 21 clubs?" he asked.
"That is certainly something they should put to us rather than us to them.
"This is very much an exceptional case whereby a club has been wronged and
it should be put right. "The Premier League Board have to stand up and be
counted and admit there have been mistakes here in various ways, mistakes
that are affecting one club that does not deserve to be relegated. "It's an
opportunity for them to contact Sheffield United and make up the wrong."
McCabe said they had received "verbal support" from other clubs who believe
a "major wrong" has been committed and that West Ham should have had points
deducted. "I think most of the Premier League clubs and other football clubs
support us over this injustice that has come about this season," he said.
"Four years ago we lost in the (Championship) Play-off Final and I felt
gutted. This time I feel cheated. "One club among 20 has fielded ineligible
players this season. One club remains in the Premiership who should not be
in it. "They have a £50 million bonus next season whereas we have suffered
probably a £50m loss if relegation is confirmed," he added. The United chief
also backed up the concern of Wigan chairman Dave Whelan over the
re-registering of Tevez after the initial punishment by the Premier League's
independent tribunal of a £5.5 million fine. "That concerns us and our
lawyers will be looking at that," he said. "That is one of the issues, and
there has been no legal evidence presented so far to clubs to satisfy us
that the previous contract (with Tevez) was legally terminated. That is a
big issue. He called on the Premier League to show the legal evidence, to
clubs, that the contract was terminated. "I will do everything I can to
protect the interests of Sheffield United Football Club, and I owe that to
the fans, the directors, the players, the management and all who work for
this great club of ours," he added. "We played and abided by the rules but
we have been wronged by the actions of off-field events elsewhere. "One
club has not played by the rules and they now prosper while we suffer
emotionally and financially." Backing for the so-called 'Gang of Four' -
United, Wigan, Fulham and Charlton - appears to be growing. Middlesbrough
are the latest to show support. The Premier League say they will contact all
20 top-flight clubs today with a detailed explanation about the issue.

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Prem chiefs stand firm over Tevez - TeamTalk

The Premier League have insisted there was never any doubt about Argentina
striker Carlos Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four'
clubs, who are lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to
escape with a fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier
Mascherano, have raised questions about whether the striker should have been
allowed to continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from
Kia Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson
denied that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham
up as Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship,
was ever ineligible. Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's
influence was against the rules and told The Sun: "This has never been a
question of West Ham fielding an ineligible player. "From the day they
signed him, West Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an
issue. "West Ham have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier
Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the
rules. "The only problem we had with the deal was the existence of a clause
in the agreement which would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to
another club at any time." Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham,
thought to be backed by Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's
right to continue playing after an independent commission handed down a
£5.5million fine over the arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier
League are also happy with Tevez's re-registration. "On the day of the
inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the third-party agreement
with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League with written evidence of
the new arrangement." Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier
League will write to each of 20 top-flight clubs on Tuesday, explaining
their handling of the affair. The relegation issue is due to reach the House
of Commons on Tuesday when a group of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before
Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is
leading the motion and is due to call for West Ham to be deducted points.
Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The early day motion is essentially saying
that the whole of the Premiership competition has been thrown into doubt.
There are very clear rules. "West Ham have broken those rules and they
should have points deducted as a consequence."

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Pressure for Tevez appeal fades - Viewlondon.co.uk

The Premier League will seek to draw a line under the Carlos Tevez affair
today when chief executive Richard Scudamore writes to all club chairmen to
explain the decision not to deduct points from West Ham. A Premier League
commission fined the Hammers £5.5 million last month for transfer
irregularities surrounding the signing of Tevez and his Argentina team-mate
Javier Mascherano. Sheffield United, who were relegated on Sunday, are
leading calls for a legal challenge and have the backing of Charlton, Wigan
and Fulham. However, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, the most outspoken
supporter of Sheffield United's cause, admitted last night that there was no
chance of getting the original decision overturned or reviewed. "We cannot
reverse the decision the commission came out with," he said. "It is
impossible." Whelan urged Sheffield United to press on with legal action,
with the focus now shifting to the steps West Ham took to ensure Tevez could
continue to play after the commission's ruling. The BBC is reporting this
morning that the club have a letter terminating the third party arrangement
they had with businessman Kia Joorabchian. It is this agreement with a third
party – and the fact that the previous owners misled the Premier League
about its existence – that left West Ham in breach of the rules. Eggert
Magnusson, who took control of the club in November last year, accepted the
commission's decision and will not be appealing. Tevez was instrumental in
keeping the Hammers in the Premiership, scoring four goals in the last five
games including the winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford on
Sunday. Despite becoming a firm favourite with the Upton Park crowd the
Argentina star is expected to leave in the summer after struggling to settle
in London, with La Liga his most likely destination.

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Tevez 'always eligible' for Hammers - metro.co.uk
Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The Premier League today insisted there was never any doubt about Carlos
Tevez being eligible to play for West Ham. The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are
lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a
fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have
raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to
continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia
Joorabchian became apparent. But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied
that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as
Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was
ever ineligible.
Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence was against the
rules. He told The Sun: 'This has never been a question of West Ham fielding
an ineligible player. 'From the day they signed him, West Ham have owned his
registration. That has never been an issue. 'West Ham have never tried to
conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian
and MSI. That is not against the rules. 'The only problem we had with the
deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which would allow
Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time.'
Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by
Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing
after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the
arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with
Tevez's re-registration. 'On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham
chose to terminate the third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They
presented the Premier League with written evidence of the new arrangement.'
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each
of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop
window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose
their star player. But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily
Express: 'I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one
word about his future. 'Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign
him but I told them to wait until the season had finished.
'Carlos did not want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting
to keep West Ham up.' But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers
could face a stiff challenge to keep Tevez. 'I'll sit down with West Ham if
they want to talk to me about keeping him because you never know. But there
are two of the biggest clubs in the world who want him.'
The relegation issue is due to reach the House of Commons today when a group
of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament. Clive Betts, Labour
representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to
call for West Ham to be deducted points. Betts told the Yorkshire Post: 'The
early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership
competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules. 'West
Ham have broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a
consequence.'

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TEVEZ TO REVEAL ALL IN A WEEK - Daily Express
Tuesday May 15,2007
By Harry Harris Have your say(0)

CARLOS TEVEZ will decide on his future next week – by which time West Ham's
rivals hope to have had his achievement in keeping the club in the
Premiership wiped from the record books.
Tevez almost single-handedly dragged the Hammers to safety in the closing
weeks. But Sheffield United and others believe the third-party agreement
that incurred the £5.5million fine from the Premier League was not torn up,
as West Ham claimed. Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter Milan have already
expressed firm interest in signing £31m-rated Tevez, who left London for
Argentina last night. But the man who has control over Tevez and Argentina
team-mate Javier Mascherano, at Liverpool, says no decision will be taken
until next week. "I went out to dinner with Carlos last night. He was
ecstatic. There was not one word about his future," said Kia Joorabchian.
"Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign him but I told them to
wait until the season had finished. Carlos did not want to discuss his
future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham up. "I'll go to the
Champions League final, then talk to the clubs who want to buy him. I'll sit
down with West Ham, too, if they want to talk to me about keeping him
because you never know. But there are two of the biggest clubs in the world
who want him." Joorabchian has had dinner with Rafa Benitez, but he said: "I
often do that – after all, I do have a player with Liverpool. But we
haven't discussed Carlos. The clubs that are interested will have their
chance once Carlos has come down from his high and has time to think about
his future."

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West Ham After Bent? - Those Were The Days
By Philip Ham
Date: 15/5/2007

West Ham are reported to be poised to make a £12 million bid for ex-Town
striker Darren Bent. The England man looks certain to leave relegated
Charlton over the summer. If the report is true, Alan Curbishley may be
looking to reunite Bent with Dean Ashton, the pair having formed a
successful strike partnership for England at both U19 and U21 level. Town
are due 20% of any profit the Addicks make on the £2.6 million they paid the
Blues for Bent's services. A fee of £12 million would add £1.88 million to
Jim Magilton's transfer budget.
In another morning paper, Spurs are said to be ready to make a £10 million
move for Bent, a switch which would land the Blues £1.48 million.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - 15th May 2007

West Ham did 'cancel' Tevez deal - BBC

The letter West Ham sent to the Premier League proving Argentine forward
Carlos Tevez was eligible to play for them has been seen by the BBC's Inside
Sport. The letter, which was sent on 27 April, stated the agreement between
the club, the player and associated companies was "terminated with immediate
effect". Wigan chairman Dave Whelan had called for the documents to be made
public. He is concerned the Hammers have been breaking rules over
third-party ownership during the season's finale. Tevez scored the winner at
Manchester United on the final day of the season which helped West Ham avoid
relegation. And the striker scored seven goals in the club's final 10 games
of the season to help them claw their way to safety. But recriminations over
his move and the fact that West Ham were fined and not docked points over
the signings of Tevez and his compatriot Javier Mascherano in August have
marred their strong finish to the campaign. Whelan is aggrieved at the
handling of the case and had called for "concrete evidence" that the
termination was pushed through before 28 April, when his club played West
Ham.
The letter seen by Inside Sport reads: "We hereby notify you that the
private agreement (as so amended, varied, modified or replaced) is hereby
terminated with immediate effect and shall cease to have any further force
of effect." Whelan had added: "Surely the contract can only be terminated by
both parties?"
There appears to be some doubt over whether Kia Joorabchian, who part-owns
one of the third party companies and played a key role in bringing Tevez and
Mascherano to West Ham, agreed. Wigan lost 3-0 to the Hammers with Tevez
playing a key role in a victory which boosted their chances of survival and
put the Latics further in jeopardy. And that prompted an angry reponse from
the Hammers' relegation rivals, who threatened legal action over the
decision. The Latics avoided the drop on the final day of the season with a
win at Sheffield United which sent their hosts down. But Whelan has promised
to stand by the Blades, along with Fulham and Charlton, as he seeks
"justice". The Premier League says any action against the decision would be
futile, because all 20 clubs agreed to the disciplinary system in place.

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Furore over Tevez 'aided Hammers' - BBC

England and West Ham keeper Robert Green says the furore over Carlos Tevez
provided the club with their motivation to pull off their relegation escape.
The Hammers stayed up after beating Manchester United and Green, 27, told
the Evening Standard: "The off-field stuff invoked a siege mentality. "We
won't get the plaudits for winning seven of our last nine games but none of
us gives a monkey's about that. "People can say what they like, we did our
talking on the pitch."
The Hammers were fined £5.5m but not docked points after being found guilty
of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the ownership
of Tevez and Mascherano, who is now at Liverpool. Seven Premiership clubs
are believed to be backing a legal bid against the Premier League over the
decision not to dock points from the Hammers. But Green said: "I don't think
anyone can deny us our right to stay in the league after what we have done.
"We have done the impossible, if we start next season the way we finished
this one we will be in the Champions League. "This is up there with the best
feelings I have had in football, it's a great achievement from the position
we were in. "But in another way, it was a position which was avoidable. You
can make excuses for what has happened on and off the pitch but the bottom
line is that for three quarters of the season, it wasn't good enough."
Meanwhile, Hammers' skipper Nigel Reo-Coker admits his future at Upton Park
is uncertain. Reo-Coker was targeted by some supporters as the main culprit
behind West Ham's slump earlier this season. He said: "I don't know what my
future is and I need to sit down and talk with the manager and chairman this
week. "I've been through the mill this season but it has made me a stronger
person. "I am very loyal but to play at my best I need to be happy. I made a
promise to West Ham fans that I would keep this club in the Premier League
and I've done that."

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Magnusson thinking big - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 14th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Hammers Chairman Eggert Magnusson has told the Icelandic press that he has
his eyes on several major signings this summer. Last weekend it was
suggested that should the Hammers avoid relegation, Alan Curbishley would be
rewarded with a transfer warchest in excess of £40m. And earlier today
Magnusson confirmed that the club were looking at a number of possible
expensive new signings - although he refused to divulge exactly who he and
Curbishley were monitoring. Likely targets will be Charlton's Darren Bent
and Newcastle captain Scott Parker, a former player of Curbishley's said to
be unhappy in the North East. However the transfer net could be cast much
wider this summer, given Magnusson's extensive network of worldwide
contacts. However the player the majority of United fans will be imploring
Magnusson to sign is Carlos Tevez, who said goodbye to his colleagues
earlier today before jetting off back to Argentina for the summer.

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The 10th annual KUMB awards - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 14th May 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

Voting for KUMB's 2006/07 season annual awards is now open ...

The 06/07 season has been an incredible journey for West Ham United and its
supporters. Looking to improve on last season's ninth place finish and FA
Cup Final appearance at the start of the year, no Hammers fan could have
possibly envisaged what was to unfold over the course of the next nine
months. There's been some incredible games; you can vote for your favourite
in one of our eleven categories. We're also looking for your goal of the
season, and despite going 1,100-odd minutes without one at one stage there
are plenty of contenders. We're also looking for the players you consider
to be your best signing and most improved player - again there are plenty of
contenders for those categories (with a 'youtube' link to each one). Back
one again (having been temporarily rested last year) are the wooden spoon
categories for your worst player and worst signing - whilst a new category
this year is the Keith Hackett memorial award for biggest rogue (and there's
been one or two). But the main prize is that of KUMB Player of the Year.
Last year it was won by Danny Gabbidon (who promptly went AWOL), who
followed Teddy Sheringham, the 04/05 winner. Strong contenders for 06/07
are the club's Player of the Year, Carlos Tevez, whilst the likes of Robert
Green, Bobby Zamora and Mark Noble are also in with a shout. To cast your
votes, click here. The results will be published here on KUMB early next
month.

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'Gang of four' to step up legal proceedings - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 3:44am BST 15/05/2007

The bitter dispute over Carlos Tevez looks set to escalate today with the
'gang of four' preparing to issue a new legal threat to the Premier League
by seeking a judicial review of the decision not to dock West Ham points for
breaking rules on third-party ownership. Any hopes Premier League chief
executive Richard Scudamore might have had that Sunday's thrilling climax to
the season would spell the end of the revolt looks set to be shattered with
the disaffected clubs preparing to step up their legal challenge. Following
talks yesterday, the clubs will write to the Premier League this morning
appealing for an arbitration panel to be set up to examine whether the
decision by an independent commission to fine West Ham £5.5 million was
"flawed." If the League refuse, then Fulham, Wigan, Sheffield United and
Charlton will go to the courts to seek a judicial review in an attempt to
overturn the decision.

On another frantic day of activity in the Premiership, it also emerged that:

• Scudamore will contact all 20 Premiership clubs today to reassure them
that the crisis is under control.
• Fulham are considering a separate legal claim against the Premier League
after West Ham's win over Manchester United, which came courtesy of a Tevez
goal, ensured they finished a place above them in the table, earning them an
extra £500,000.
• The leading sports lawyer Michael Beloff is being lined up to lead the
gang of four's case.

The Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan, who has made it clear he will continue to
back the campaign even though his side avoided relegation at the expense of
Sheffield United, claimed at least three more clubs, including
Middlesbrough, were preparing to support them. But Tottenham, one club to be
linked with the protest in recent days, told The Daily Telegraph that they
were definitely not involved. Fulham director Stuart Benson, a lawyer who is
helping to co-ordinate the four clubs' case, said: "The fight continues and
the clubs stand firm. "We are grossly dissatisfied. The fact that the
relegation issues have been sorted out makes no difference whatsoever."
The clubs believe the independent commission were wrong not to dock points
on the basis that it was too late in the campaign. The ruling by lawyer
Simon Bourne-Arton said that a points deduction would have been appropriate
earlier in the season but was disproportionate nearer the end. The gang of
four also questioned whether the loyalty of West Ham's fans should have been
an issue and argue the fact the club had been taken over mid-season by
Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson was irrelevant. With one top sports
lawyer suggesting yesterday that the fairest way to solve the crisis would
be to allow Sheffield United to play on in a Premier League of 21 teams next
season, Whelan reiterated his support for the team his club helped send
down.
He said: "The West Ham situation is in the hands of Sheffield United, we
fully support them. Fulham do, Charlton do, Middlesbrough do. We have to
clean all this up. Time is on the side of the Premier League, I have said to
Sheffield United that they must get stuck into the League's bones in the
next seven days. "Sheffield United have told me they have a fantastically
strong case."
United plc chairman Kevin McCabe added that he would be seeking the support
of more Premier League clubs in the coming days. He said: "It needs
conversations with respective chairman and directors for them to understand
all of the injustices but most of them do know that already. "There is a
consensus most clubs support an injustice so I hope we will get the vast
majority of clubs in the Premier League supporting our case."
But Scudamore will attempt to dampen the chance of any further revolt by
writing to the clubs today. A spokesman said: "There is a lot of
misinformation out there and we want to offer some clarity about the
processes and decisions that have been taken."

What next?

Who are the 'gang of four?'

Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan.

Are there any more clubs likely to support them?
None prepared to go public as yet.

What are they protesting about?
They believe West Ham should have been docked points rather than fined £5.5
million for breaking Premier League third-party ownership rules over the
signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano last August. They have also
attacked the League over their decision to allow Tevez to carry on playing
for West Ham after they were found guilty.

Why was Tevez allowed to play on and help West Ham avoid relegation?
Because, the League say, West Ham "unilaterally terminated" their
third-party agreements with the player's owners after the commission
delivered their verdict on April 27.

But what if Tevez's owners sue for breach of contract?
The League say that doesn't matter because, according to rule U18, it is not
whether a player is owned by a third party but whether that third party is
able to exert a "material influence" over a club and their policies. The
disgruntled clubs argue that one party cannot simply cancel a contract, and
therefore question whether the agreement is no longer in force.

What can the gang of four do?
They are considering two options: ask for a judicial review of the original
decision, or pressure the League to open an investigation into why they
allowed Tevez to play on, as the striker was re-registered after the April
27 judgment, outside the transfer window.

What approach is more likely?
A judicial review now appears the favoured route, although the courts have
shown a reluctance in the past to step in and settle football's disputes.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Premier League have egg on their faces, not West Ham - Telegraph
By Sue Mott
Last Updated: 3:44am BST 15/05/2007Page 1 of 2

All the forces of civilised Christendom seem to have been ranged against
West Ham United on Sunday but as they say at the sort of nightclubs Anton
Ferdinand frequents: 'What yer gonna do about it?'

Nothing is the answer. West Ham stayed up. Sheffield United went down and,
for all the outraged talk of the London club being beneficiaries of
ill-gotten gains, the fault lies squarely with the Premier League, who
refused to endorse their own rules.

Spare us the sermonising claptrap demanding that natural justice be done
against the lying, cheating Hammers. If the rules had been properly upheld -
for West Ham admitted the offence of fielding ineligible players and were
fined £5.5 million as punishment - offering prayers to the deities of Just
Causes would not have been necessary.

We're always being told that the Premiership is the best league in the
world, a super-sophisticated industry, in which case, what a strange way to
do business. It is like the boss of ICI tying a bunch of lucky heather to
his bedpost instead coming up with a marketing strategy.

Meanwhile, those moral guardians of the game, the FA, were keeping very
quiet or perhaps they were all kidnapped and gagged by Sir Trevor Brooking,
West Ham's beloved old boy, who sits among the elders of the game.

Now we're being told that a legal insurrection is being mounted against the
Premier League's failure to dock points from West Ham, but watch this space.
Sheffield United might be adamant, but the interest of the survivors will
vanish like the morning mist. Dave Whelan, chairman of Wigan, has a new
problem with which to wrestle. The vanishing of his manager Paul Jewell
(possibly to reconstitute at Manchester City).

West Ham have got away with it in every sense. For more than half the
season, they were dreadful on the pitch as well as off.

Ill-discipline was so rife, two players had to admit gambling addictions and
Ferdinand's string of misdemeanours included a nightclub brawl and that
grandad of dipstick stunts, flying off to a birthday party in America while
pretending he was visiting his sick granny in the Isle of Wight.

The manager was swapped, the chairman was replaced, they lost 6-0 to Reading
and Matthew Upson, bought for £6 million from Birmingham, played 41 minutes
before being injured for the rest of the season.

The arrogance of the players who had appeared in last season's FA Cup final
knew so little bounds that the laughably-appointed captain, Nigel Reo-Coker,
played like a god. One of those gods that lie about half asleep eating
grapes.

The look on new manager Alan Curbishley's face after a couple of weeks said
it all. Burdened, bewildered and bowed, he must have wondered why he had
emerged from blissful retirement to partake of this brand of torture. It was
a shambles, a crisis and a disgrace rolled into one, with that shady figure,
agent Kia Joorabchian, on the sidelines.

Beset by Harewood, hubris and two Argentine players who suddenly turned up
on the doorstep, West Ham were so going down. Then to the earnest
shock-horror of the Premier League who thought their certain relegation
would make the controversy go away, the East Enders unaccountably perked up.
There is delicious irony in the fact that the leader of the escape committee
was none other than the scar-faced Argentine embarrassment, Carlos Tevez,
who played passionately for the Hammers as though he'd been born in Bethnal
Green rather than Buenos Aires.

He was lethal and irresistible and with every celebrated goal he scored,
including the one that beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, the
suits at the Premier League headquarters quivered more desperately in their
pinstripes. The best-laid plans - chairman Eggert Magnusson has at last
taken his head out of his hands. For most of the season he has been a bald
spot with money. Now he, and things, have looked up.

There seems to be some muddle-headed thinking that West Ham should have done
the decent thing and gone down. But that is the trouble with not punishing
miscreants. They are thrilled and unrepentant. They tend to find this in the
world of criminal justice too. Let off a burglar with one of those nice
detachable tags and instead of volunteering for social work, he jemmies open
another window and makes off with more loot.

Having failed to punish West Ham properly, Richard Scudamore, chief
executive of the Premier League, had to watch as they appropriated another
£35 million - the rewards of being in the Premiership. He can argue it was
an independent tribunal that made the crucial decision. Who appointed the
independent tribunal?

No one should blame West Ham for this failure of moral justice.

Survival is a highly-tuned human instinct, to which many a moral has been
sacrificed down the centuries. West Ham remain a Premiership club because
the Premier League were too feeble to back their own rules. It is the story
of the chicken and the egg. And this time there's no question which one came
first.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Matty is on his Way - West Ham Till I Die
May 14th, 2007

Matthew Etherington has confirmed he wants to leave West Ham. He told the
Evening Standard: "I've had four great seasons at West Ham but perhaps I
need a change." On his day Matty can be electric but this season he just
hasn't lived up to the standards he set himself last season when he and
Konchesky combined so well down the left. I suspect his off-field gambling
problems haven't helped. He is rumoured to have owed Teddy Sheringham
£30,000 at one point. Sheringham has a lot to answer for in my view.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez set for £30m Real deal - The Sun
By SHAUN CUSTIS
May 15, 2007

CARLOS TEVEZ is heading for a £30million move to Real Madrid. But West Ham
will not see a penny of any fee for the striker whose goal kept them in the
Premiership. The Hammers tore up their agreement with Tevez's owner Kia
Joorabchian so the South American star could play in their last three games
of the season. Yet having signed off with Sunday's crucial 1-0 winner at
Manchester United, he has now returned to Argentina and is back in the hands
of the company Joorabchian represents. Joorabchian refused to comment on the
on-going row in which the so-called 'gang of four' are still pressing to
have West Ham relegated for alleged irregularities in Tevez's capture. He
also claims no decision has been made about the player's future. But Real
Madrid are leading the chase, with AC Milan and Seville on alert. A £30m
price tag makes it virtually impossible that the Hammers could end up
signing him. SunSport can reveal Tevez turned down the chance to quit West
Ham in the January transfer window. Joorabchian said: "He told me it was his
mission to keep West Ham in the Premiership and he had to stay to see it
through."
Hammers boss Alan Curbishley hopes survival has finally won him the backing
of the club's fans. He revealed: "There was a time when they were telling me
'F*** off back to Charlton'."
Ex-manager Alan Pardew, relegated with Charlton, sent a letter of support
before the Old Trafford win. Chairman Eggert Magnusson was thrown in the
showers during the victory celebrations.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez: Con-trick or contract? - The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
May 15, 2007

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have revealed that Carlos Tevez was NEVER ineligible
to play for West Ham. And they insist the offending clause in the Hammers'
agreement with Kia Joorabchian was removed BEFORE last month's crucial win
against Wigan. Relegated Sheffield United plan to mount a legal challenge to
the Premiership over Argentine striker Tevez. An independent inquiry fined
Hammers a record £5.5million for contravening League rules. But Blades
chairman Kevin McCabe maintains they should have been docked points for
lying over the details of the player's loan agreement and is backed by
Wigan, Charlton, Fulham and Middlesbrough. Yet League chiefs are adamant the
five clubs are barking up the wrong tree. Premiership spokesman Dan Johnson
insisted: "This has never been a question of West Ham fielding an ineligible
player. "From the day they signed him, West Ham have owned his registration.
That has never been an issue. "West Ham have never tried to conceal the fact
Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is
not against the rules. "The only problem we had with the deal was the
existence of a clause in the agreement which would allow Joorabchian to sell
the players to another club at any time. "In the eyes of the independent
inquiry that was a breach of Rule U18 which forbids any third party from
influencing the policy or performance of any team. "West Ham were fined
£2.5million for that offence and a further £3million for failing to act in
good faith towards the League. "They were also presented with three options
— to tear up the contract with MSI, renegotiate the terms and remove the
offending clause or release Tevez immediately. "On the day of the inquiry's
judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the third-party agreement with
Joorabchian. "They presented the Premier League with written evidence of the
new arrangement. "They also notified both Tevez and Joorabchian of their
actions and presented us with acknowledgement from both parties that they
had been notified."

The League deny suggestions that they created a new transfer window for
Tevez to re-register before the 3-0 win at Wigan. And they say the same
agreement was put in place when Liverpool signed Mascherano from the Hammers
in January. But that is still not enough to pacify Blades chairman McCabe.
He said: "There is a concensus that an injustice has been done and I hope
the vast majority of Premier League clubs will support our case. "Sheffield
United should be accommodated by the Board of the Premier League. "There are
so many questions to be answered and if the Premier League board don't have
the courtesy to see us then we'll have no alternative but to pursue
litigation."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insisted: "Charlton, Sheffield United, Wigan,
Fulham and Middlesbrough are all determined that we should get justice and
that West Ham should have been deducted points. "We are being given strong
legal advice that this judgment can be challenged, whatever the Premier
League might be saying. "We are going to support Sheffield United and we
will fight with them to the end. "So I'd say to the Premier League, 'Could
we see the evidence please that this guy has been registered properly'.
"He's going to be sold for £30million, yet West Ham will get no money — it
can't be legal."

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We have raised our concerns
with the Premier League about the process that led to Tevez being allowed to
play in West Ham's most recent games. "In the interests of clarity we are
one of several clubs who would like to see evidence that Tevez was correctly
registered within Premier League rules for those games."

What the Premier League say

Q: WHO owned Tevez before the Premier League inquiry?
A: West Ham have held Tevez's registration since August last year. They are
the owners.

Q: WHO owned Tevez when he was given permission to play at Wigan?
A: As above.

Q: IF West Ham owned him, how much did they pay for him?
A: There was an arrangement fee of one million euros paid to Joorabchian but
no transfer fee.

Q: IF Tevez leaves, will West Ham receive a transfer fee?
A: As they hold his registration, technically they will receive any money
from the buying club. But clearly there is a financial agreement with MSI.

Q: WAS a transfer window created before Wigan v West Ham for him to sign a
new deal?
A: No. He was already registered.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bring new charges over Tevez, say Wigan
15.05.07

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan wants new charges laid against West Ham, while
admitting it is impossible to overturn the original decision on Carlos
Tevez. Whelan held talks with Sheffield United on Monday and urged them "to
get into the bones of the Premier League, and quickly". The Blades were
relegated on Sunday after being beaten by Wigan, while West Ham survived
after Tevez scored the only goal in the 1-0 win at Manchester United. Now
the Yorkshire club are set to pursue the possibility of legally challenging
West Ham's right to play Tevez. A £5.5million fine was issued by an
independent commission for irregularities over the signings of Tevez and
Javier Mascherano when many thought they should have had a points deduction.
Whelan said: "We can't reverse the decision the commission came out with,
but now we are saying he [Tevez] has been registered illegally for a second
time. "Who owns him? Where will this £30m we are told he is now going for be
going? We have to clean all this up. "I've said to Sheffield United that
they must get stuck into the League's bones in the next seven days. "They
say they have a fantastically strong case. We need a new hearing because he
has been registered illegally again. That should be another fine or points
deduction."
He said support for the "Gang of Four" — Sheffield United, Wigan, Fulham and
Charlton — is growing and Middlesbrough are also prepared to back the
challenge, with others waiting in the wings. Whelan feels Premier League
chief executive Richard Scudamore "has a lot of explaining to do" and added:
"I had a fax off him today telling me all Premier League clubs are going to
get an explanation tomorrow. "I don't think we can reverse the original
decision but we can look at how they opened a new transfer window to sign an
illegal player."
Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe has issued an ultimatum to the
Premier League — put it right now or risk having the game's reputation
dragged through the courts in a £50m compensation battle. "It would be nice
to think we are not forced into litigation," he said. "The Premier League
should invite us to a meeting and discuss what should be done. "If they are
men of strength and substance they should stand up and right the wrong. Just
about everybody in sport knows we've been cheated. "How can you sign two
Argentine internationals for nothing?" he said, referring to how West Ham
acquired players in the ownership of Kia Joorabchian. "The Premier League
should have done due diligence on the deal." He also claimed the commission
must have been improperly briefed and added: "The wrong club are no longer
in the Premiership. Now those in senior positions must right the wrong."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Whelan says Tevez appeal is doomed - The Independent
By Nick Harris
Published: 15 May 2007

Safe in the knowledge that his club's Premiership status is now guaranteed
for another season, Wigan's chairman, Dave Whelan, admitted yesterday that
West Ham's £5.5m fine over irregularities in the signings of Carlos Tevez
and Javier Mascherano cannot be overturned or transformed into a points
deduction. Last week, as Wigan headed towards the final game of the
Premiership season as favourites for relegation, Whelan was the most
vociferous figure for the so-called "Gang of Four" clubs who wanted West Ham
to be docked points. Wigan, Sheffield United, Charlton and Fulham were all
considering legal action. United, who ended up being relegated after losing
2-1 at home to Wigan on Sunday, are still trying to canvass support from
fellow clubs. And while Whelan said yesterday that he still backs United's
cause, he conceded: " We cannot reverse the decision the commission came out
with. It is impossible - they [the three-man independent disciplinary
commission] were appointed by the Premier League and all the clubs agreed
these people would take charge of the case."
The Premier League will today write to its 20 clubs to explain why the
decision on a fine is binding. The need for such a clarification was
illustrated last night when Whelan demonstrated that even he - as a chairman
so recently at the centre of the furore - did not actually understand the
case. He claimed Sheffield United have grounds to appeal against the
commission's verdict because Tevez " has been registered illegally for a
second time".
In fact, Tevez has never been registered illegally at all. The only problem
- and the reason for West Ham facing charges in the first place - is that
West Ham also had a completely separate agreement with Tevez's third-party
owners about the player's theoretical future sale. In a complex case full of
grey areas, it was the existence of this agreement - and West Ham's original
failure to disclose it - that led to the punishment. "I have said to
Sheffield United they must get stuck into the League's bones in the next
seven days," said Whelan. It is unclear whether his support will stretch
beyond the verbal. "The West Ham situation is in the hands of Sheffield
United," he said. "We fully support them. Fulham do, Charlton do,
Middlesbrough do. All those clubs are committed to helping Sheffield United
to fight this case. "
One area of contention is the precise time and date that West Ham's
third-party agreements were cancelled. This happened on 27 April - the day
the commission made its ruling - and the League insists it has the paperwork
to prove it. Not only that, but no part of the third-party agreements had
been acted on by that point. The most exposed party in the process now
appears to be Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who effectively owns Tevez.
Theoretically, West Ham control the player and should keep any monies from
his sale. In practice, if he is sold, Joorabchian will pocket most of the
proceeds. This would not be illegal or against League rules as long as West
Ham, not Joorabchian, are calling the shots. Sheffield United's plc
chairman, Kevin McCabe, said yesterday he planned to canvass support from
top-flight clubs over the possibility of a legal challenge.
Middlesbrough were among the first to distance themselves slightly from any
legal action. Their chief executive, Keith Lamb, said: "Whilst we have not
taken any formal action, in the interests of clarity we are one of several
clubs who would like to see evidence that Tevez was correctly registered
within Premier League rules for those games in which he played such a huge
part in helping them avoid relegation."
Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp - a former West Ham manager - was blunter, and
arguably more realistic, in his appraisal of the situation. "Do you know
what will happen now ?" he said. "All those [other gang of four] clubs will
disappear. Sheffield United now will be saying, 'You were going to appeal,
where are you?' Suddenly they will all disappear because that is how the
game is."

Contracts and consequences

* What did West Ham do wrong?

When they signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano last August, they also
entered into agreements with the players' third-party owners that would
allow those owners (effectively Kia Joorabchian and partners) to dictate
aspects of the players' West Ham United careers. Principally, this gave the
third parties the right to demand the termination of the players' contracts
in the January transfer window upon payment to West Ham of £2m (for Tevez)
or £150,000 (for Mascherano). West Ham (or more precisely the West Ham
administration in place in August 2006, later replaced by Eggert Magnusson)
failed to disclose those third-party agreements when the players were
registered with the Premier League, and then lied about the existence of
those agreements.

* Were the players' registrations illegal?

No. It is not against the rules for third parties to own players, so the
registrations themselves - that is, the players' playing contracts with West
Ham which were registered with the League - were sound. But it is against
rule U18 for clubs to "enter into a contract which enables any other party
to that contract to acquire the ability materially to influence its policies
or the performance of its teams in league matches or in any (other)
competitions". West Ham were guilty of this, and also breached rule B13 for
not behaving "towards each other club and the league with the utmost good
faith". As it happens, the third-party contracts would not have been
enforceable in law.

* Would West Ham have been able to sign the players without the agreements?

It is impossible to say. Joorabchian may have vetoed the signings, or he may
not. If West Ham had made only a gentlemen's agreement to release the
players under certain circumstances, no rules would have been broken.

* So how did they end up in the dock?

On 24 January this year, West Ham were told that the Premier League were
examining third-party ownership of players. West Ham (by then under new
ownership) forwarded copies of the third-party deals to the League, who saw
the rules had been breached and set up an independent disciplinary
commission to deal with the matter. The commission spent months
investigating and revealed its ruling on 27 April.

* Why did a commission deal with the issue and not the League itself? And
who was on the panel?

The Premier League's protocols - as agreed by its 20 members - dictate that
an independent commission deals with such matters, and its rulings are
binding. The three-man panel was comprised of Simon Bourne-Arton, (a QC
whose specialism is fraud), Lord Herman Ouseley, and David Dent, a former
secretary of the Football League.

* What did they decide, and why?

It ruled that West Ham had breached U18 and B13, both charges they pleaded
guilty to. They fined West Ham £5.5m but decided against a points deduction.
They argued the offence happened under a previous administration, that the
guilty plea was taken into account, and that a points deduction would " not
be proportionate" punishment. There was no precedent for points deduction
for such offences.

* Why wasn't that the end of the matter?

Because West Ham escaped relegation, and other clubs, mainly Wigan Athletic,
Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton Athletic were all threatened with
relegation at the time of the ruling and feared going down unless West Ham
were docked points.

Key dates in the battle

* Friday 1 June: Premier League AGM

The Premier League is owned by the 20 clubs who play in it. At the AGM the
three relegated clubs pass on their "share" of the League to the newly
promoted Championship clubs. Therefore, any legal proceedings will need to
be completed before this date.

* Thursday 14 June: Premier League fixtures announced

*Saturday 11 August: Premiership season starts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley ready to ring changes despite West Ham survival - The Times
Gary Jacob

Staying up will have little effect on the shake-up at West Ham United this
summer, where about a dozen players are still likely to depart. Alan
Curbishley, the manager, will have about £30 million available to spend on
players and will have discussions tomorrow about the transfer strategy with
Eggert Magnússon, the club's Icelandic chairman.

Curbishley must hope that it will be significantly easier to persuade
players to join than it was in January when they were fighting a relegation
battle. Then, he had to offer the six players he brought in extravagant
wages and escape clauses in the event of relegation, much to the annoyance
of the players already at the club. It largely went unnoticed that only
Lucas Neill, of Curbishley's signings, made any impact in keeping the team
up.

Curbishley will be able to offer competitive wages in his bid to sign Eidur
Gudjohnsen, Craig Bellamy and Yakubu Ayegbeni, who are among the forwards
that are being considered. In midfield, Curbishley is likely to try to prise
Scott Parker, who played under him at Charlton Athletic, from Newcastle
United, and a goalkeeper to replace the out-of-favour Roy Carroll.

But even winning seven of the past nine matches has not changed Curbishley's
mind about certain players – or their opinion of him. Anton Ferdinand, Nigel
Reo-Coker and Yossi Benayoun are expected to request moves, with Tottenham
Hotspur a likely suitor for all of them. Marlon Harewood, Paul Konchesky and
Hayden Mullins have long fallen out of favour with the manager. Harewood has
attracted interest from Wigan Athletic.

A few months ago, West Ham fans were singing that the players were not fit
to wear the shirt and that Curbishley should "f*** off back to Charlton".
"The off-the-field stuff did invoke a siege mentality," Robert Green, the
goalkeeper, said yesterday. "We've been called every name under the sun
recently and the feeling was that there wasn't anyone else who could turn
against us. We probably won't get the plaudits we deserve for those seven
wins but so be it. I don't believe any of the players really give a monkey's
about that."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Middlesbrough raise "Tevez concerns"
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

Middlesbrough have confirmed they have raised their concerns over Carlos
Tevez's role in West Ham's successful survival fight. Boro are not involved
in any legal action against the Premier League amid the ongoing row over the
Hammers' punishment for irregularities in the transfer deal which brought
Tevez and compatriot Javier Mascherano to England. Chief executive Keith
Lamb said: "We are not part of any legal action against the Premier League.
However, we have raised our concerns with the Premier League about the
process that led to Carlos Tevez being allowed to play in West Ham's most
recent games. "Whilst we have not taken any formal action, in the interests
of clarity we are one of several clubs who would like to see evidence that
Tevez was correctly registered within Premier League rules for those games
in which he played such a huge part in helping them avoid relegation."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Green: Everbody hates us, we don't care
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

Robert Green feels the row surrounding the eligibility of Carlos Tevez has
taken the shine off West Ham's "impossible" escape from relegation. The
Hammers beat champions Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, where
Argentina striker Tevez's goal proved enough to keep the east-London side in
the Premiership. A record £5.5million fine was handed out for
irregularities over the signings of Argentinians Tevez and Javier Mascherano
when many thought they should have had a points deduction, which would have
probably resulted in the Hammers and not Sheffield United being relegated.
England keeper Green, 27, feels the whole saga produced a "siege mentality"
at the Upton Park club and spurred the team on. He said: "The off-the-field
stuff did invoke a siege mentality - we have been called every name under
the sun recently and there was the feeling that there was not anyone else
who could turn against us. "We probably will not get the plaudits we deserve
for those seven wins in the last nine games - but so be it. "I do not
believe any of the players really give a monkey's about that."
Green, quoted in the London Evening Standard, added: "People can say and
write what they like - but we have done our talking on the pitch. "This is
up there with the best feelings I have had in football, it is a great
achievement from the position we were in, but in another way it was a
position which was avoidable. "You can make excuses for what has happened
off and on the pitch, but the bottom line is that for three quarters of the
season it was not good enough. "But we have done the impossible. If we start
next season the way we have finished this one, we will be in the Champions
League. "I do not think anyone can deny us our right to stay in this league
after what we have done."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez agent mixed with Man Utd directors
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

Manchester United are in the frame for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez - along
with Champions League finalists Liverpool. The Daily Mail says Anglo-Iranian
businessman Kia Joorabchian, who brought the pair to Upton Park in a loan
deal which has caused so much controversy, was in the Manchester United
directors' box on Sunday. Mark Noble echoed the sentiments of his team-mates
when he called on the club to do everything in their power to keep striker
Tevez, valued by Joorabchian at £20million. Noble said: "Anyone would love
Carlos to be in their team. He's set up all my three goals this season and
he's a joy to play with. I am sure he will think seriously about staying."
Chairman Eggert Magnusson also wants to keep Tevez but said "many things
have yet to be decided". Manager Alan Curbishley added: "Carlos has been
magnificent for us but so have other players. It is not for me to discuss
Carlos's future at this time. I will sit down with the chairman this week
and discuss the whole question of next season."

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Portsmouth, Man City move for West Ham's want-away Etherington
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

West Ham winger Matthew Etherington admits he's leaving Upton Park this
summer. He said: "I've had four great seasons at West Ham but perhaps I need
a change." Portsmouth, Manchester City and Derby are three clubs who have
expressed an interest in him.

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Real Madrid favourites for £30M West Ham ace Tevez
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

Real Madrid remain favourites for West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez.
Despite rival interest from AC Milan, Manchester United and Liverpool, The
Sun says Real will land the Argie ace for a massive £30 million. West Ham
will not see a penny of any fee for the striker whose goal kept them in the
Premiership. The Hammers tore up their agreement with Tevez's owner Kia
Joorabchian so the South American star could play in their last three games
of the season. Yet having signed off with Sunday's crucial 1-0 winner at
Manchester United, he has now returned to Argentina and is back in the hands
of the company Joorabchian represents. He claims no decision has been made
about the player's future. But Real Madrid are leading the chase, with AC
Milan and Seville on alert. A £30m price tag makes it virtually impossible
that the Hammers could end up signing him. Joorabchian revealed that Tevez
refused to quit the Hammers in January: "He told me it was his mission to
keep West Ham in the Premiership and he had to stay to see it through."

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West Ham, Portsmouth go for Watford striker Bouazza
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

West Ham United and Portsmouth are chasing Watford striker Hameur Bouazza.
The Hornets rate the 22 year-old in the £5 million-class

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Reo-Coker seeks West Ham talks
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

Skipper Nigel Reo-Coker is planning talks with West Ham United over his
future. The Irons secured their Premiership status for next season with a
stunning 1-0 win at champions Manchester United on Sunday. And midfield
battler Reo-Coker, who had been linked with Arsenal and United last summer,
will discuss his future this week. "I do not know what my future is and need
to sit down and talk with the manager and the chairman this week," said
Reo-Coker. "I have been through the mill this season, but it has made me a
stronger person and I would not have changed anything. "I am a very loyal
person but to play at my best I need to be happy. "I made a promise to West
Ham fans that I would help keep this club in the Premier League and I have
done that."

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Watford eyeing West Ham striker Harewood
tribalfooball.com - May 14, 2007

West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood is wanted at relegated Watford. The
Mirror says Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd plans to use part of the club's
parachute money to land Harewood.

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TAUNTS INSPIRED CURBS - The Mirror
David Mcdonnell 15/05/2007

ALAN CURBISHLEY revealed how the abuse he suffered at the hands of his own
West Ham fans provided the inspiration for him to haul the club to
Premiership safety. West Ham's right to Premiership status may be the
subject of dispute with the on-going row over the Premier League's failure
to dock them points in the wake of the Carlos Tevez affair. But on the pitch
at least, Hammers ensured their top-flight status with seven wins from their
last nine games, culminating in Sunday's survival-clinching 1-0 win at
Manchester United. And as he basked in the glory of one of the most
remarkable escape acts in Premiership history, Curbishley reflected on the
darkest days of the season. "There was a spell when the fans were telling
the players they weren't fit to wear the shirt and they were also having a
go at me," said Curbishley. "They were saying things like 'f*** off back to
Charlton' and all that sort of stuff because they were so upset at what was
happening to the club. "You could understand their feelings. This time last
year they had been to the FA Cup Final and had enjoyed a good season in the
League. "But I think it was coming home from the FA Cup Final when the
problems really started. "Three or four players needed operations then Dean
Ashton got injured in the build-up to the start of the season. After that
one or two players got injured when the season started. "This meant after 10
games we couldn't have a settled team because we had so many different
problems, whereas the season before you could name the team most weeks.
"There were other problems, like losing three or four games on the spin,
which was something they never had to deal with before. "So it's been a real
learning curve and I hope everyone has learned from it. I certainly have.
Hopefully all this will stand us in good stead for next season."
Despite the legal challenge that is set to ensue with Wigan and Sheffield
United determined to see Hammers relegated over the Tevez scandal,
Curbishley is already planning for the next campaign. "We're already
thinking about next season and looking forward to it," said Curbishley. "We
look forward to welcoming back one or two of the big-hitters like Dean
Ashton, Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon. "I have never gone into a club
midseason before. And I found it very difficult. I had lots of injuries and
lots of other things to contend with. "But I think the Spurs game back in
March, even though we lost 4-3 at home, galvanised us. We produced a decent
performance but we got done in the last minute. "At Charlton, when we lost
4-0, I came away despondent. "But people close to the club said to me if we
could get some results we'd see the difference in the players, and that's
exactly what happened." Hammers keeper Robert Green claimed the furore over
the Tevez affair created a siege mentality at West Ham Upton Park proved the
key to their survival. Green said: "The off-the-field stuff left us feeling
there wasn't anyone left who could turn against us. But people can say what
they like, we've done our talking on the pitch."

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James Lawton: Scudamore should not be doing his job if he does not
understand nation's anger - The Independent
Football at large is showing no inclination towards amnesia
Published: 15 May 2007

A few days ago, Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier
League, made an impassioned defence of the indefensible. He reached into the
bag of non sequiturs vital to all branches of spin-doctoring and fished out
a few straw men. He dressed them up as valid points of argument in the
appalling West Ham affair. Then he attacked them full bore. The results were
as egregiously irrelevant to the issue as you might imagine. However, as
readers of this newspaper, that's all you could do until now: imagine. The
Independent's Football Correspondent, Sam Wallace, was not informed of
Scudamore's briefing. When he asked why, he received the text message:
"Blame James Lawton".

Reluctant as I am to personalise, and still less trivialise, a controversy
which has made a mockery of the governance of the most profitable football
league in the world, I have to say that I have felt no urge to don the
sackcloth and ashes. What I said in this space 10 days ago is what I believe
every right-minded football lover is saying with ever-increasing force in
the wake of West Ham's Premiership survival after being found guilty of
telling "direct lies" concerning the involvement of third parties in the
ownership of Carlos Tevez, the player who has been so brilliantly
instrumental in saving his club roughly £30m.

Remember what the independent panel said about the breathtaking decision to
fine West Ham a mere £5.5m and not deduct them a single point? They said
that the verdict was partly based on the fact that the hearing had come so
late in the season - why this should have any bearing on a crime that was
committed at its dawn and was so decisive at its climax is anybody's guess -
and the feelings of West Ham's large and loyal support.

Here is what Scudamore said to the briefing from which The Independent was
excluded: "I don't get offended by much in this job but I find the
suggestion that we wanted to keep West Ham in at the expense of so- called
smaller clubs one of the most offensive things I've heard. The idea that
we'd manipulate who's in the League and who isn't is so ridiculous it's
nonsensical."

Indeed, and this is probably why no one has made this particular accusation.
The implication from Scudamore is that he really doesn't get it. He can't
grasp the scale of the outrage because he doesn't understand it. Two
inevitable reactions. If he can't see why there should so much anger, quite
simply he should not be occupying a pivotal position in the nation's
national sport. If he does, he is simply operating straight from the school
of Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson: spin, spin and spin, and who,
knows, your critics might just forget the point of their criticism.

Unfortunately, for the Premiership, the West Ham chairman, Eggert Magnusson,
and the splendidly able football man Alan Curbishley - both of whom have
argued we should draw a line in the sand, after burying the injustice to the
ultimate losers, Sheffield United, and move on - football at large is
showing no inclination towards amnesia.

Indications yesterday were that the Gang of Four - led most eloquently by
the Wigan chairman, David Whelan, and the victim-in-chief, Sheffield's
chairman, Kevin McCabe - were picking up a strong surge of support, with
suggestions that the Gang of Four has become one of Seven.

Meanwhile, back at the briefing, Scudamore was saying, "Do we want Reading
or Wigan in the Premiership? Bloody right we do because they won the
Championship. It's an emotive time and people are hanging on to the Premier
League by any means they can. You have to remain phlegmatic about it -
that's what this is all about." No, it isn't. It is about lies and a failure
of good faith on one side, and upon the other and administrators of football
justice who, morally speaking, have failed to distinguish between their
arses and their elbows.

One West Ham fan emailed a BBC discussion yesterday with the heartfelt cry,
"For, godsake, people should get off the bandwagon." Some bandwagon, a
desire for truth and justice. If you take the wheels off this one - which is
obviously the fondest wish of the Premiership and their beneficiaries, West
Ham - you might as well kiss goodbye to any confidence in the ability of
big-time football to negotiate in any satisfactory way the years ahead.

If this bandwagon disappears, the Sports minister, Richard Caborn, must
surely get involved. He must call for an independent inquiry as a matter of
urgency.

We are not discussing some administrative gaffe. We are talking about the
integrity of one of the richest sports leagues in the world. The most
trenchant comment so far has come from McCabe. It was made from a position
of relative comfort, when the combination of results which put his club down
on Sunday was extremely unlikely, West Ham, even with their hot run and
against title-winning opponents with at least half an eye on the Cup final,
being rated 9-2 to win at Old Trafford. McCabe said if the Premiership
verdict held, it was an invitation to anarchy.

How large will the Gang of Four swell? In a league which understood the need
for proper discipline and justice, which prized honesty above all other
elements, it would finish up at Nineteen.

That would be a wonderful statement about football's desire to cleanse
itself of a wretched affair. It would also be a miracle. However, back in
the real world, a basic point of principle cannot be let go. If it happens,
all of football, not just its richest end, is impoverished.

Hamilton can become genuine people's champion

The spectacular rise of young Lewis Hamilton promises to be the sensation of
the summer's sport. Already he has earned the acclaim of Sir Stirling Moss,
a man not always overly impressed by the mores of modern Formula One.

His position at the top of the drivers' championship is stunning but if the
attention being paid to the fact that he is the sport's first star of "mixed
ethnicity" is inevitable, it also misses the most dazzling, and hopefully
significant, point.

The remarkable aspect of the story of the gifted young Lewis is not that he
has Caribbean blood but that his father held down three jobs to give him a
toehold in a sport which for so long was the preserve of rich boys whose
families could, in one way or another, buy them a drive.

Nigel Mansell, who mortgaged his house to get a start, was one notable
exception to the likes of Jim Clark (Scottish landowners), Jackie Stewart
(Jaguar dealership) and David Coulthard (haulage and garage proprietors).
Great men, no doubt, and gifted drivers, but they didn't come the Hamilton
route.

Sir Frank Williams once said that choosing the right driver was a bit like a
blindfolded attempt to pin the tail on the stage donkey. How good, for
example, is the contender's car? Lewis Hamilton's talent has blazed through
all the old doubts. He comes from an unusual place, and with precious few
advantages, except the most vital one of all, a sublime talent. Better
still, not only does he have the potential to be the people's champion. He
is also of them.

Honest passion should earn Pearce another chance

The fall of Stuart Pearce at Manchester City is both inevitable and sad.
Inevitable because you cannot survive if you sign strikers who cannot score,
not one goal at home since New Year's Day. Nor if, in the biggest match of
your season, against Manchester United, your team display all the grace of
street muggers - and one of your players stamps on the prostrate figure of
Cristiano Ronaldo after taking a sneaky look in the direction of the
referee.

It is sad because for a little while Pearce, a wonderfully committed
performer at all his clubs and for England, displayed a few hints that he
might just soothe the ache in City hearts which has been more or less
constant since the days of Malcolm Allison and Joe Mercer.

Pearce was passionate and honest. He fined his striker Bernardo Corradi for
taking a dive at Old Trafford. He gave straight answers to tough questions.
Dancing about the technical area, he plainly cared.

But, of course, you need more than that. You need a little nous, or the
right agents, in the transfer market when you only have a few million pounds
to play with. You could see plainly what the job had done to Pearce when you
looked at his face on the touchline at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.

Let's hope he comes again, wiser - but no less honest.

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NIGEL'S SPUR TO LEAVE - The Mirror
15/05/2007

WEST HAM captain Nigel Reo-Coker wants out of Upton Park - but his dream
move to Spurs is in the balance. Tottenham boss Martin Jol had targeted
23-year-old Reo-Coker, who is disillusioned at West Ham after claiming he
has been singled out for abuse by fans. Spurs were hot favourites to land
Reo-Coker but their interest has cooled and they will bide their time.
Everton boss David Moyes is watching developments and Sunderland's Roy Keane
could be in the frame. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is already looking to a
future without Reo-Coker.

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HAMMERS ARE SAFE...THANKS TO STEVE FOSTER - Daily Express
Test case: The judgement over Foster in 1983 will help West Ham
Wednesday May 9,2007
By Mick Dennis Have your say(1)

DO you remember Steve Foster? Big chap. More than useful defender. Terrible
haircut. Played three games for England. You know Sir Alan Sugar, of course.
He's the bloke on the telly with Eighties designer stubble on a face like a
robber's dog. They are the reasons why any clubs bonkers enough to sue the
Premier League or West Ham over the Carlos Tevez debacle will lose. Let me
explain. Steve Foster was suspended when his club, Brighton, reached the
1983 FA Cup final against Manchester United. Brighton went to court to try
to get the ban lifted. They argued that missing Wembley was a
disproportionately harsh punishment. They lost. A High Court judge said
that, by entering the FA Cup, Brighton had accepted the rules and so could
not
challenge them later. As it happened, the final was a draw. Foster's
suspension ended before the replay but Brighton lost 4-0 and United fans
taunted him with: "What a difference you have made!"
He did make a profound difference to sport. His court case established the
principle that taking part in a competition means you accept the rules and
protocols. In other words, Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton
accepted the Premier League rules by playing in the League. Those rules
state that an independent tribunal will sit in judgment on dodgy contracts.
So the League acted properly setting up a three-man panel to deal with the
Hammers. The panel was chosen from a list that all clubs had approved at
the start of the season. The tribunal was chaired by Simon Bourne-Arton, QC,
a specialist in fraud cases. The others on the panel were Lord Herman
Ouseley, chairman of Let's Kick Racism Out of Football, and David Dent,
former secretary of the Football League.
So, thanks to Steve Foster, West Ham's rivals cannot have any complaint
against the Premier League. And, thanks to Sir Alan Sugar, they cannot
quibble about the panel's decision to fine West Ham and not deduct points.
In 1994 Tottenham were found guilty of making illegal payments to players.
They had 12 points deducted, were banned from the FA Cup for a season and
fined £600,000. But Sir Alan appealed because the illicit payments had been
handed out by a previous Spurs regime, before he bought the club. He won.
The cup ban and points deduction were both quashed. Fast forward 13 years
and one of the reasons the tribunal did not deduct points from West Ham was
that the duplicity over Tevez and Javier Mascherano happened before Eggert
Magnusson became chairman. The previous Upton Park regime behaved
dishonestly. During Mascherano's move to Liverpool, the new West Ham
administration discovered some of the paperwork about the signing of the
Argentinians had been concealed from the Premier League. It was Magnusson
who ordered that it should be disclosed. So, to recap, m'lud: the Premier
League stuck to rules accepted by all the clubs and the independent panel
reached a conclusion which was consistent with what had happened in the
past. But if West Ham stay up, they might like to invite Steve Foster and
Sir Alan to the party.

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