24/07/2007 12:18
Alan Curbishley will be splitting his first team squad between this week's
two friendly matches, against Leyton Orient this evening and MK Dons
tomorrow night. The Hammers boss plans to ensure that the majority of senior
players get through their first 90 minutes of the pre-season build-up, with
just three more friendly matches to play before the new Premier League
campaign kicks off against Manchester City on August 11. The likes of Robert
Green, Anton Ferdinand, Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington will play at The
Matchroom Stadium tonight in the testimonial match for O's manager Martin
Ling, while new signing Freddie Ljungberg will be in action tomorrow night
at MK Dons' new Stadium:MK having trained with his new team-mates for the
first time today.
However, Scott Parker won't be available for either game after suffering a
slight knee injury during Saturday's match against Lazio in Austria. The
midfielder tweaked ligaments in his left knee in the final moments of our
2-0 defeat in Lebring, but is aiming to resume training within seven to 10
days.
Squad to face Leyton Orient: Green, Pantsil, Ferdinand, Davenport, Dailly,
McCartney, Etherington, Bowyer, Mullins, Ashton, Cole, Stech, Stokes, Hines,
Jeffery, Widdowson, Fitzgerald, Collison.
Provisional squad to face MK Dons: Wright, Spector, Gabbidon, Collins,
Upson, Noble, Collison, Boa Morte, Ljungberg, Reid, Bellamy, Zamora,
Ephraim, Walker.
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Tevez transfer row set for CAS - Sky
By Peter ORourke - Created on 24 Jul 2007
Fifa has recommended that the Carlos Tevez should go to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport. West Ham United and Manchester United had asked Fifa
to arbitrate on Tevez's contractual situation as the Premier League
champions look to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford. Tevez's proposed move
to Manchester United has been held up after a dispute between West Ham,
Manchester United and Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian. The wrangle over his
ownership rights continues with West Ham claiming they own Tevez's
registration, while Joorabchian's Media Sports Investment group say they own
the economic rights of the player. Fifa officials met with counterparts from
the FA and the Premier League this week to discuss the matter and the
football's world governing body have decided they will not make any ruling
on Tevez's future. Fifa spokesman Andreas Herren said: "The recommendation
from Fifa to the FA and the Premier League is to go to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport."Under the circumstances it was felt it would be in
the best interest of all parties to take this course.
"It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this matter. "It is not a
refusal by Fifa to get involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation
by Fifa to opt for this way."
West Ham have reacted to the news by revealing they are happy for the matter
to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it is to the agreement of all
parties.
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FIFA pass the buck on Tevez transfer battle - Soccernet
The Carlos Tevez affair took a dramatic new twist today with FIFA
recommending the matter be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
World football's governing body believe their decision is in the best
interests of all parties. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said: 'The
recommendation from FIFA to the FA and the Premier League is to go to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport.' West Ham were eager for FIFA to get
involved in what has become a stalemate in recent weeks, with the London
club refusing to sanction the Argentina striker's proposed move to
Manchester United. Tevez is registered as their player, but businessman Kia
Joorabchian claims he owns the 23-year-old's economic rights and is
therefore entitled to his transfer fee. The Premier League, however, say the
Hammers own the player and therefore must receive any such fee. FIFA came to
their decision following a high level meeting with FA and Premier League
officials in Zurich yesterday.
Their legal team considered the case overnight before recommending the Court
of Arbitration for Sport rule on the matter. Herren said: 'Under the
circumstances it was felt it would be in the best interest of all parties to
take this course. 'It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this
matter.
'It is not a refusal by FIFA to get involved, quite the contrary. It is a
recommendation by FIFA to opt for this way.' FIFA's senior legal counsel has
been in touch with the Football Association and the Premier League to advise
them of their decision. The recommendation to go to the Court of Arbitration
for Sport applies to West Ham and Tevez but not Manchester United, who are
not regarded as directly involved in the dispute. The Premier League
welcomed FIFA's decision. A Premier League spokesman said: 'The Premier
League and FA are grateful to FIFA for considering this issue. We are
supportive of the recommendation that if all parties are in agreement the
matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.'
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Curbishley lauds arrival of Ljungberg - Soccernet
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley believes Freddie Ljungberg's vast
experience of European football can only help the club cement its Premier
League status next season. Ljungberg, 30, quit Arsenal for West Ham
yesterday in a three-year deal worth around £60,000-a-week to the captain of
Sweden. West Ham may eventually pay close on £3million for Ljungberg but
boss Curbishley reckons the outlay is well worth it to gain a player with
the Swede's undoubted experience. Curbishley declared: 'Freddie brings a few
things into the equation - his Champions League experience for one. 'He is
versatile and can play in different positions and then there is his hunger.
'Whenever he played against us for Arsenal, he used to frighten the life out
of me. But he's liked a lot of what we have done so far this summer. 'We are
doing good business. Scott Parker wants to get back into the national side
and, for all sorts of reasons, it is time for Craig Bellamy to do his
talking on the pitch. He is an exceptional player. 'But in the last three
seasons the young players we have at the club have been through it from a
play-off triumph, FA Cup final and relegation. A lot of them have grown up
in the last few seasons. 'Now with Freddie coming in, it gives us the
experience we need.'
Ljungberg missed much of last season with ankle, groin and hamstring
injuries but he is confident they are behind him after a summer of
rehabilitation.
But most of all, he admits it was hard to leave the Gunners after almost 10
years - citing the recent departure of Thierry Henry to Barcelona as one of
the factors in his decision to move on. After scoring 72 goals in 325 games
for Arsenal, he was the last remaining member of the side which went
unbeaten for an entire Premiership season. But once Henry had jumped ship
and with the uncertainty continuing over a possible takeover deal, Ljungberg
decided it was time to go too. 'When Thierry left it felt like the end,'
explained Ljungberg. 'I had a lot of clubs in for me in the summer but
always stayed loyal. 'But I felt it was the right time to go. When I signed
my last contract two years ago we talked about the future, building a new
stadium and bringing in top players, but it didn't really happen. 'Of course
the decision tugged at my heart strings because I had been at Arsenal for
almost 10 years. It was a big thing for me. 'I felt Arsenal had let a lot of
players go. When Thierry left I felt it was time for me to do something
different and challenging.'
But Ljungberg also claimed the uncertainty left hanging over the club by the
departure of vice-chairman David Dein also made it an anxious time. While
the club continues to snub any takeover bids, the saga is having an
unsettling effect on the players. American Stan Kroenke is set to launch a
bid for control and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also been linked with a
shock buyout. Kroenke has been tipped to increase his 12.2% stake beyond the
30% threshold but Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman remains opposed to
selling out. But the rumours of a takeover persist and Dein's exit along
with that of Henry have left a cloud over the players preparing for the new
campaign at the Emirates. Ljungberg added: 'Of course it is a big thing in
Arsenal and in the last couple of months with David Dein leaving, it's not
been easy as a player. 'Maybe Arsene Wenger will have to do a lot more work
because David Dein has left.'
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Hammers ready to nail down Dyer - TeamTalk
West Ham are poised to firm up their interest in Newcastle midfielder Kieron
Dyer this week after injury robbed them of new boy Julien Faubert. Faubert,
a £6.1million summer recruit, has been sidelined for six months with an
Achilles tendon problem and boss Alan Curbishley is eager to replace him
with the 28-year-old Dyer. The England under-achiever is believed to be
chasing a fresh challenge after eight years on Tyneside and after reported
talks with Sam Allardyce the Newcastle boss will not stand in his way as
long as his Toon spending is allowed to continue. Magpies new boy Joey
Barton will miss the start of the season with a broken foot, but that is
unlikely to derail Dyer's St James' Park exit. Manchester City and Tottenham
are also believed to be keen on Dyer, who has yet to fulfill his huge
potential.
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Tevez row must go to court - The Sun
By ANDREW HAIGH
July 24, 2007
THE Carlos Tevez affair took a dramatic new twist today with FIFA
recommending the matter be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
World football's governing body believe their decision is in the best
interests of all parties. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said: "The
recommendation from FIFA to the FA and the Premier League is to go to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport." West Ham were eager for FIFA to get
involved in what has become a stalemate in recent weeks, with the London
club refusing to sanction the Argentina striker's proposed move to
Manchester United. Tevez is registered as their player, but businessman Kia
Joorabchian claims he owns the 23-year-old's economic rights and is
therefore entitled to his transfer fee. The Premier League, however, say the
Hammers own the player and therefore must receive any such fee.
FIFA came to their decision following a high level meeting with FA and
Premier League officials in Zurich yesterday. Their legal team considered
the case overnight before recommending the Court of Arbitration for Sport
rule on the matter. Herren said: "Under the circumstances it was felt it
would be in the best interest of all parties to take this course. "It looks
like being the fastest way of resolving this matter. "It is not a refusal by
FIFA to get involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation by FIFA to
opt for this way."
FIFA's senior legal counsel has been in touch with the Football Association
and the Premier League to advise them of their decision. The recommendation
to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport applies to West Ham and Tevez
but not Manchester United, who are not regarded as directly involved in the
dispute.
The Premier League welcomed FIFA's decision. A Premier League spokesman
said: "The Premier League and FA are grateful to FIFA for considering this
issue. We are supportive of the recommendation that if all parties are in
agreement the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport." A West Ham statement added: "We're happy for the matter to go to CAS
if it is with the agreement of all parties."
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Tevez saga goes to Court of Arbitration - This Is London
24.07.07
The Carlos Tevez affair took a dramatic new twist today with FIFA
recommending the matter be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
World football's governing body believe their decision is in the best
interests of all parties. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said: "The
recommendation from FIFA to the FA and the Premier League is to go to the
Court of Arbitration for Sport." West Ham were eager for FIFA to get
involved in what has become a stalemate in recent weeks, with the London
club refusing to sanction the Argentina striker's proposed move to
Manchester United. Tevez is registered as their player, but businessman Kia
Joorabchian claims he owns the 23-year-old's economic rights and is
therefore entitled to his transfer fee. The Premier League, however, say the
Hammers own the player and therefore must receive any such fee. FIFA came to
their decision following a high level meeting with FA and Premier League
officials in Zurich yesterday. Their legal team considered the case
overnight before recommending the Court of Arbitration for Sport rule on the
matter.
Herren said: "Under the circumstances it was felt it would be in the best
interest of all parties to take this course. "It looks like being the
fastest way of resolving this matter. "It is not a refusal by FIFA to get
involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation by FIFA to opt for this
way."
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Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham circle as Appiah visits London -
aboutaball.co.uk
About a Ball is proud to announce a friendly match between Senegal and Ghana
at the Den in London at 7.45pm on Tuesday August 21st. It joins a string of
friendly games that have been played by teams from all over the World in the
Capital over the past year. The diverse London population and British
appetite for sport (together with the money Brits are prepared to pay) has
lead to a boom in African and South American national teams using it as a
base for friendly Internationals. This one promises to be a colourful
occasion and a great game between two of the power houses of African
Football.
Players likely to feature include Fulhams' new big summer signing Diomansy
Kamara, Papa Bouba Diop, Bolton's El Hadj Diouf, Chelsea's Michael Essien
and Stephen Appiah amongst others.
It's expected that Appiah will be watched by scouts from a number of top
London clubs who have expressed their interest in the powerful and versatile
midfield player. He's made it clear he wants to leave Fenerbahce and would
be available for around £6 Million. It's fairly certain this won't be his
last visit to the capital this year.
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Paper View: Eidur Gudjohnsen for West Ham - Telegraph
By Vicki Hodges
Last Updated: 10:47am BST 23/07/2007
Who needs Carlos Tevez when you can have Freddie Ljungberg, Eidur Gudjohnsen
and Nicky Shorey instead?
That's what Alan Curbishley fancies. The West Ham manager has lined up three
summer targets in light of Tevez's on-off switch to Manchester United,
according to the Daily Express.
'LJUNGBERG A HAMMER' reveals that the Arsenal midfielder will join forces at
Upton Park in a £3.5m deal after under going a medical at the club
yesterday.
Although most of the other papers carry a similar story, but with different
fees on the table, the Express also adds that Curbishley will not stop his
spending there.
A £10m bid for Barcelona striker Gudjohnsen is in the offing and a £5m move
for Reading full-back Shorey could also be on the cards.
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Fifa passes on Tevez affair
'It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this matter'
Staff and agencies
Tuesday July 24, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Tevez took a new twist today when Fifa
recommended the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport. Both West Ham and businessman Kia Joorabchian claim ownership of
Tevez, but - unlike the Premier League and the FA - Fifa has no rules
preventing third-party influence over player contracts and believes the
referral is in the best interests of all parties.
"The recommendation from Fifa to the FA and the Premier League is to go to
the Court of Arbitration for Sport," said a Fifa spokesman. "Under the
circumstances it was felt it would be in the best interest of all parties to
take this course. It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this
matter. It is not a refusal by Fifa to get involved, quite the contrary. It
is a recommendation by Fifa to opt for this way."
The recommendation to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport applies to
West Ham and Tevez but not United, who are not regarded as directly involved
in the dispute.
The Premier League welcomed Fifa's decision, with a spokesman saying: "The
Premier League and FA are grateful to Fifa for considering this issue. We
are supportive of the recommendation that if all parties are in agreement
the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
West Ham were eager for Fifa to get involved in what has become a stalemate
in recent weeks, with the club refusing to sanction Tevez's proposed move to
Manchester United. Joorabchian claims he owns the player's economic rights
and is therefore entitled to his transfer fee. The Premier League, however,
says the Hammers own the player and therefore must receive any such fee.
United chief executive David Gill had said last week that he was confident
Fifa would reach a decision on the issue. "What you find in these
situations, though, is that Fifa and the necessary bodies try to make sure
that the player can play, whether it's for Manchester United or for West
Ham."
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Carlos Tevez case to go to Court of Arbitration - Telegraph
By Andy Hooper and agencies
Last Updated: 2:29pm BST 24/07/2007
Fifa have passed the buck in the dispute between Manchester United and West
Ham over Carlos Tevez, saying the ongoing wrangle should be settled by the
Court of Arbitration for Sport. Tevez, the Argentina striker, has agreed
personal terms with the Premiership champions but West Ham refuse to
sanction any deal, insisting they control the player's registration and that
no transfer can happen without their approval. The Premier League also say
West Ham own the player and therefore must receive any fee. Last season, the
club unilaterally tore up Tevez's registration, taking ownership of it,
after being fined £5.5 million for breaching third-party regulations. While
23-year-old Tevez is registered at Upton Park, Iranian businessman Kia
Joorabchian has said his company owns the economic rights to the player and
is therefore entitled to the transfer monies. Fifa came to its decision
following a meeting with FA and Premier League officials in Zurich
yesterday. Spokesman Andreas Herren said: "The recommendation from Fifa to
the FA and the Premier League is to go to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport. "Under the circumstances it was felt it would be in the best
interest of all parties to take this course. "It looks like being the
fastest way of resolving this matter. It is not a refusal by Fifa to get
involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation by Fifa to opt for this
way." The Premier League have welcomed Fifa's decision. A spokesman for the
organisation said: "The Premier League and FA are grateful to Fifa for
considering this issue. "We are supportive of the recommendation that if all
parties are in agreement the matter should be referred to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport."
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Hammer Bellamy buzzing in London - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:12pm on 24th July 2007
Craig Bellamy admits he cannot get enough of London life since his switch
from Liverpool to West Ham. The Welsh striker, who arrived from Anfield
earlier this month, said: "It is a place I always fancied living in and I am
enjoying it a lot."
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Hurst blasts Tevez and Mascherano 'mess' - Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:39am on 24th July 2007
Sir Geoff Hurst has spoken of his dismay at the damage inflicted on West
Ham's reputation by the Carlos Tevez affair. The World Cup winner has
described the original loan deal for the striker and fellow Argentine Javier
Mascherano as "a joke" and the club's conduct as "disappointing". Hurst —
along with other former Upton Park heroes such as Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor
Brooking — was instrumental in setting standard s for behaviour at "The
Academy of Football" that applied both on and off the field. But those
traditions are in danger of being swept away in the fall-out of the Premier
League's decision to fine the club £5million for breaking an ownership rule
and then lying about it. The two key board members responsible for the
Tevez- Mascherano deal last August — former chairman Terry Brown and his
chief executive Paul Aldridge — have since left the club, but the
controversy is now being looked at by FIFA and shows no sign of abating.
Hurst said: "The whole thing has been a mess. The way the club have acted is
not something you would expect of West Ham. It's been very disappointing.
"We [West Ham] have always been seen as the second favourite club of many
other people, but we are certainly not now with Sheffield United, and
others.
"Hopefully, we will see the back of it very shortly. Tevez will go. There
was never any real belief that he and Mascherano would stay, anyway. "The
way the deal was structured was a joke — the intention was always to move
the players on. It was bad, and maybe the club were lucky to get away with a
fine. Arguably a financial penalty was better from a Premier League point of
view than deducting a team two or three points. It's such a twisted and
tortuous tale and I feel sorry for the fans."
The row centres on the selling rights for Tevez, who is wanted by Manchester
United. The agency, Media Sports Investments, believes West Ham are not
entitled to compensation for a year-long loan involving a player it
effectively owns. But the Hammers, backed by the Premier League, claim they
should be paid a fee because the original deal with MSI was torn up,
following the club's fine in April, and his contract runs for three more
years. The two sides have now turned to FIFA in a bid to break the deadlock
but world football's governing body have still to decide whether to probe
the dispute or hand the case over to a Football Association arbitration
panel.
Chief executive Richard Scudamore confirmed today that the Premier League
will abide by any FIFA ruling on the issue. He said: "A third party, as far
removed from this as possible, needs to sort it out. "That is why it is
better for FIFA to determine it. Hopefully, they can adjudicate and they can
do it quickly." FIFA lawyers held further discussions this morning following
yesterday's meeting with representatives from the FA and Premier League.
Hurst does not, however, fear the Tevez affair will cloud West Ham's season
and has great belief in new chairman Eggert Magnusson and manager Alan
Curbishley, who yesterday signed Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal. Speaking at
the launch of BT Vision Sport, he said: "I am sure they will overcome this
quagmire. The club have now got a different owner and a good manager."
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FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS - Daily Express
Tuesday July 24,2007
By David Hytner Have your say(0)
FREDDIE Ljungberg completed his £3million move from Arsenal to West Ham
yesterday and radiated excitement at the onset of a fresh challenge.
Although he chose his words carefully, it was clear the Sweden captain felt
life at the Emirates had turned stale. Ljungberg, 30, is the latest
eye-catching summer signing by Hammers boss Alan Curbishley. He follows
Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker, Julien Faubert and Richard Wright, and
Curbishley believes his hunger and experience can help the side make a
positive impact on this season's Premier League. But as Ljungberg looked
ahead, it was only natural his thoughts also took in the decision to walk
away from Arsenal – his home for the past nine years and only the second
club for which he had played. Ljungberg has felt some degree of isolation in
recent weeks. When Thierry Henry signed for Barcelona back on June 25, he
saw another link to Arsenal's 'Invincibles' of 2003-04 cut. Only Jens
Lehmann, Kolo Toure and Gilberto now remain.
Ljungberg admitted it was remarkable how quickly the team who had bolted
undefeated to the Premiership title had been sold off. But his unease at
Arsenal ran deeper than that. Financial constraints arising from the new
stadium project have tied manager Arsene Wenger's hands in the transfer
market. Ljungberg expressed his frustration at the lack of big-name
signings, as Wenger has prioritised youth and a vision for the longer-term.
The club have endured turmoil off the field, too, and wounds remain open
from the ousting of vice-chairman David Dein following his siding with Stan
Kroenke's prospective takeover bid.
When Henry cited the upheaval as one of his reasons for leaving, it was
telling that Wenger suggested that Henry had not wanted to wait for the
young players to come through. Ljungberg appears to be of the same mind. He
has joined a team who intend to come to the boil immediately. Ljungberg
said: "When I signed my last contract with Arsenal two years ago, we spoke
about the future and I was told that they would be bringing in a lot of big
players to stay top in England and in Europe. It never really happened. "I
stayed loyal to the club because I wanted to do it with Arsenal. I joined my
first team [Halmstads] when I was five and I stayed there until I moved to
Arsenal, so you can see that I like to stay loyal. "But this summer, it
felt like the end for me. I felt it was time to go and now, I want to help
build a great team at West Ham. "I am one of the very last of the unbeaten
side to leave Arsenal. The time between being part of that team and now to
the break-up has gone very quickly. I felt we let a lot go at Arsenal and
then, when Thierry left, I felt it was time
for me to go and find a new challenge. It has been a big thing at Arsenal
over the last few months with Dein leaving. Arsene has had a lot of hard
work to do. What has been going on at Arsenal over the last few months has
not been an easy thing."
West Ham are hardly strangers to soap-opera story lines, the latest one
involving the proposed transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United. FIFA
are considering whether they have jurisdiction to rule on the impasse. But
with money behind them from an overseas millionaire in Eggert Magnusson –
something Arsenal are trying to resist – and the squad fired by last
season's dramatic escape from relegation, the Hammers will enter the new
season with cautious optimism. Ljungberg added: "The chairman here is
willing to make this club very big, at the top of the table. Can West Ham
overhaul Arsenal? Definitely."
Magnusson's outlay on Ljungberg – the down payment is £2m – takes his summer
spending to £23.5m. But Curbishley is quick to point out that the club have
recouped £19m from the sales of Nigel Reo-Coker, Marlon Harewood, Yossi
Benayoun, Paul Konchesky and Tyrone Mears. "People need to be aware of our
net spend," said Curbishley. "Bellamy was our most expensive at £7.5m, and
we're balancing the books."
Ljungberg, who has signed a three-year deal, will wear the No7 shirt left by
Reo-Coker.
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