Thursday, March 19

Daily WHUFC News - 19th March 2009

Stan the man for Motson
WHUFC.com
Junior Stanislas' Premier League debut impressed many - including BBC
commentator John Motson
18.03.2009

Having caught the eye of legendary BBC commentator John Motson on his
Premier League debut, West Ham United winger Junior Stanislas is planning to
make an even greater impact between now and the end of the season.

The England Under-19 winger was at his lively, tricky best during a 20
minute run out against West Bromwich Albion, teasing Baggies right-back
Gianni Zuiverloon and almost conjuring up a late winner for David Di
Michele.

After the game Motson, commentating for BBC Radio FiveLive, told listeners
that Stanislas could be the next big thing to roll off the Academy of
Football's famed production line, and the player himself is anxious to prove
him right.

"It was a good experience. I was glad to get on for 20 or 25 minutes and
show what I can do. Obviously it wasn't long enough for me to do everything
but hopefully I did a little bit and showed a few people that.

"I definitely feel that it [all my work since joining the club as an
eleven-year-old] has been worthwhile. I have put in a lot of hard work over
years and years and it was an amazing night for me. All that hard work paid
off. Obviously I now have to keep working hard to achieve my dreams.

"To start a game would be nice, but I'd be happy just to get some more
game-time in the first-team under my belt. I just want to keep learning and
taking things from the other boys in training and keep pushing on."

Stanislas was impressive; running at the West Brom defence and launching a
series of dangerous crosses and corners into the visitors' penalty area. The
19-year-old, who was cheered on from the stands by his father and brother,
admitted to relishing the responsibility of taking set pieces and is eager
to earn his first Premier League assist before too long.

"I had a little bit of responsibility when I came on. I take the corners in
training and practice my free-kicks with the boys so hopefully I can keep
improving on them and maybe score from one soon."

The talented Stanislas scored three goals in nine matches during a
successful loan spell at League One outfit Southend United earlier this
season - a spell that also saw him face Chelsea in two keenly-contested FA
Cup third round ties. Now back at the Boleyn Ground, he is anxious to take
on the Blues again when they visit for a Premier League fixture on 25 April.

In appearing against Tony Mowbray's side, Stanislas became the seventh
Academy graduate to appear for the first-team this season, following Mark
Noble, Freddie Sears, Kyel Reid, Zavon Hines, Jack Collison and James
Tomkins into Gianfranco Zola's team. The winger believes it will not be long
before that list is extended still further, with close friend and reserve
team captain Bondz N'Gala pushing for a place in the 18-man squad for
Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers.

"Bondz will get his chance as well. I've got mine and he will get his so
it's all good. It was a good experience for me. We're in seventh place and
could maybe have played a bit better and picked up a couple more points but,
personally, it was a good start for me."

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Leeds may seek Tevez compensation
BBC.co.uk

Leeds United are considering a compensation claim following the settlement
of the Carlos Tevez saga. West Ham and Sheffield United reached an
out-of-court settlement over the Argentine's ineligibility during the
2006-07 season. The Blades' relegation saw Leeds miss out on add-ons from
the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Bennett to Bramall
Lane. Leeds chairman Ken Bates told the club website they are seeking legal
advice. "We are currently taking advice on it and won't be commenting
further at this time," said Bates. The Sheffield club successfully argued
that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham and that his goals helped
keep the Hammers in the Premier League at their expense. An independent
hearing ruled in favour of their claim for compensation and the two clubs
reached an agreement earlier this week, thought to be in the region of £20m.
And while that seemed to signal the end of the matter, Bates' comments
indicate that the saga could carry on. "We sold a number of players to
Sheffield United with contingencies," Bates said. "When they got relegated
on the last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum. "That's
what we lost and if they are being compensated for their loss we believe we
should be compensated for our loss. "There are other clubs in the same boat
who have similar claims. Ours is the biggest claim and it would be nice to
collect that and strengthen our squad."
It is not known how much money Leeds missed out on, but one newspaper report
estimates it could be around £500,000. Former Sheffield United manager Neil
Warnock, now in charge of Crystal Palace, said on Tuesday that he was also
considering legal action against West Ham. Players from the Sheffield United
team that were relegated also intend to pursue their compensation claim. In
a statement on their club website, West Ham said: "It is now becoming clear
that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has encouraged a potentially endless legal
chain of claims and counter claims, which can only be damaging to English
football. "As a club we will strongly resist any attempts to prolong this
matter through the courts both to protect our interests and those of the
wider game. "There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham
United and we will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of
legal anarchy."

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Curbishley: they got it wrong
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Alan Curbishley has criticised the process that led West Ham United to pay
up to £25million in damages to Sheffield United this week. Curbishley, who
led the Hammers to their great escape of 2006/07 by virtue of seven wins in
the final nine games of that season called the arbitration panel's decision
'fundamentally flawed', asseting that it was the whole team that ensured
Premiership survival that season. "When you think about what goes on in a
whole season for the judgment to say that Tevez kept us up, or was the main
reason we stayed up, is wrong," he told the Daily Mail. "Tevez didn't score
for 20 games. In the run in in the last nine games we used 13 players which
we never had the opportunity to do before because of injuries. "It was a
fantastic run-in and I always felt the side were good enough to stay up. It
was a great escape and it wasn't down to just one person."
Curbishley, who is himself thought to be seeking around £3million in lost
earnings from the club following his resignation last September added:
"People forget we scored a winning goal at Blackburn that didn't cross the
line - so are they going to sue the linesman and the referee? "We kept a lot
of clean sheets. I don't think any West Ham fans will ever forget the game
at Arsenal when Rob Green made about a dozen saves. Bobby Zamora scored two
winning goals at home to Everton and away to Arsenal. "Bobby Zamora had been
out injured and came in for the run-in and was nice and fresh. James Collins
came in and was nice and fresh. We brought Mark Noble in and suddenly we had
a different team."

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England defender named and shamed
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 18th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Everton's Phil Jagielka is one of the 20 Sheffield United 2006/07 squad
members planning to sue West Ham, according to reports. Jagielka - who is
thought to have doubled his wages since moving to Everton from Sheffield
United in the summer of 2007 - has been named by the Daily Mail's Hatchet
Man as one of the group set to claim compensation from United in the wake of
Monday's out-of-court settlement. One of the main reasons previously cited
by the group for the proposed compensation claim is a loss of earnings;
Jagielka - who has also featured for England since leaving Sheffield - is
said to earn £25,000 per week on Merseyside with a new deal worth around
£40,000 per week in the pipeline.

Of the Sheffield United squad relegated from the Premiership just 20 months
ago Jagielka is the only member currently plying his trade in the Premier
League (Stoke's Michael Tonge has played just twice this year). With eight
of the 06/07 squad still at Sheffield United and the majority of the
remainder at other football league clubs the group would appear to have
their work cut out justifying why they feel they should have continued to be
paid Premiership wages.

Where are they now? Sheffield United's 2006/07 squad

Phil Jagielka - moved to Everton (£4m) where he has won two international
caps.

Michael Tonge - sold to Premier League new boys Stoke last summer for an
undisclosed fee. Has played just twice for Stoke this year.

Colin Kazim-Richards - now playing in Turkey for Fenerbahce.

Rob Hulse - striker who was sold to Derby for £1.75m in July 2008.

Claude Davis - Jamaican defender who left Sheffield United for Derby after
the Blades were relegated. Now reunited with Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace
having been relegated twice.

Paul Ifill - another former Blade now at Palace with Warnock.

Jon Stead - journeyman striker at his third club (Ipswich) since leaving
Bramall Lane two years ago.

Mikele Leigertwood - sold to QPR for £900,000 in August 2007.

Ade Akinbiyi - another journeyman striker, sold to Burnley in January 2007
for £750,000.

Chris Armstrong - defender now at Reading, left Sheff Utd in a £500,000 deal
last summer.

Keith Gillespie - now at Bradford by way of Charlton whom he joined on a
free from the Blades in November 2008..

David Unsworth - the former Hammer left the Blades in January 2007 for a
brief sojourn in the Premiership with Wigan. Sold to Burnley six months
later, now registered with Huddersfield.

Christian Nade - sold to Hearts following relegation from the Premiership
for an undisclosed fee.

Paddy Kenny - still at Sheffield United.

Chris Morgan - defender who almost killed Barnsley's Iain Hume, still
playing at Bramall Lane.

Matthew Kilgallon - still at Sheffield United.

Nick Montgomery - still featuring on a regular basis for the Blades.

Stephen Quinn - appearing regularly for the Blades having spent time on loan
at MK Dons and Rotherham.

Danny Webber - still playing for the Blades, the striker has scored 6 goals
in 39 appearances this season.

Ian Bennett - back-up keeper who has featured just twice in the Championship
this season.

Derek Geary - still at Sheffield United but last played in August 2008.

Leigh Bromby - defender sold to Watford for £600,000 in January 2008, now
back at Bramall Lane on loan.

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Sue and be damned
Billy Blagg - Wed Mar 18 2009
West Ham Online

West Ham United, the board and fans, were rocked again yesterday with the
news that Soccernet and WestHamOnline self-styled pundit Billy Blagg, is set
to sue the club for an undisclosed sum following the two years wrangling
over the Carlos Tevez affair.

This follows earlier news that ex-Sheffield United boss Neil 'Nice Guy'
Warnock, several United players who suffered the pains of relegation in 2007
and Leeds supremo 'Cuddly' Ken Bates, were considering their own legal
actions against the East London club.

As the Carlos Tevez affair appears set to rumble on, the latest set of
claims from people seemingly unconnected with the incident, only opened up
further complications for the beleaguered Hammers. Leeds United's claim
stems from the fact that Elland Road outfit sold several players to their
Yorkshire rivals as the Blades bought desperately in an attempt to stay in
the Premiership. When Sheffield were relegated on the last day of the
2006/07 season, Leeds suffered financially from the contingency elements of
the transfer deals that would have allowed Leeds a greater share of the
transfer profit had Sheffield United survived.

"When Sheffield United got relegated on the last day of the season we missed
out on a substantial sum" said Bates "That's what we lost and if they are
being compensated for their loss we believe we should be compensated for our
loss. There are other clubs in the same boat who have similar claims."

When asked to explain his involvement in the Tevez saga, Blagg was adamant
his claim was 'not a joke'. "I've spent a great deal of time writing
articles and gossiping on the Internet chat forums about Tevez; I've had to
endure hours of typing as I've been answering idiots who email me about the
whole mess. People think I get paid for this but it's just a labour of love
for me."

Blagg went on "I think I should be able to claim some compensation from some
of the costs lost when we failed to qualify for the Champions League in
2006/07" When asked to explain his baffling remarks, Blagg explained: "We
went into the 2006/07 season as unlucky losers in the Cup Final and European
football beckoned. We started the campaign well with a squad of young
players and a manager reckoned to be one of the best up and coming bosses in
the Premiership".

Blagg continues "Had Tevez and Mascherano not joined, then the money could
have been spent on other players more in keeping with those already at the
club, and the dressing room spirit and the Cup Final experience would have
acted as a springboard to give us our best ever Premiership finish".

Asked to explain his wild assumptions, the ex-North Bank boy explained;
"I've discussed this with both Lord Griffiths, Henry Winter, Graham Taylor
and Frank Clark and we spent the whole day re-enacting the season without
Tevez and 'Masher' on Football Manager 04 and, when Thierry Henry scored in
the 89th minute at Roots Hall to give us a 2-1 win the three points were
enough to push us into 3rd place behind Blackpool"

Blagg citied "stress" and "worry" as part of his expected claim against the
Hammers and is expected to ask for at least £50k. The part-time I.T.
Consultant later explained his reasons for the sum: "My training contract
runs out at the end of this week and I'm not going to be earning anything,
both Lady B and my cat Paolo di Cattio, are having their teeth done this
week and I've got a big gas bill coming in and, without any income, I think
Scott Duxbury should put some money my way"

Internet rumours that Blagg was also thinking of suing Henry Winter were
later denied although Winter's comments in a Times article that 'Tevez had
kept the Hammers up' were thought to be crucial in Lord Griffith's decision
to allow Sheffield United's case. Blagg commented "I had to pay Henry Winter
for a direct quote that I used in my book, 'Nightmare on Green Street' and I
was hoping to get a few bob back - but I've decided I'd be better off
chasing West Ham as they have more money"

Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was unavailable for comment.

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Critics of Carlos Tevez claim cases guilty of misunderstanding legal process
Telegraph.co.uk
By Brian Moore
Last Updated: 7:23PM GMT 18 Mar 2009

Those that portended all manner of claims arising out of the decision of the
Football Association tribunal to award damages to Sheffield United following
their successful claim against West Ham United will be feeling rather smug
about the news that former manager Neil Warnock and some Sheffield players
are considering taking action against the Hammers for alleged personal
losses.

Such oracles misunderstood the legal process first time round and will
probably do so again. All legal tribunals have to decide matters on the
balance of probabilities; they are not required to and could never achieve
certainty. Furthermore, whatever claims arise from their decisions are not
within their control and should not be a factor in judging the instant case.


Sheffield United demand £45m over Carlos Tevez affairAny claims as those
above will be decided on another simple legal principle - remoteness. Not
every consequence of a breach of contract, trust or duty gives a right to
damages. In this way the relatives of Hillsborough victims were deemed
insufficiently proximate to recover damages for distress, whereas the police
officers at the scene were so deemed.

You may not agree with the decisions made by a judicial body, but it is
misguided to condemn its function as a result; more so if condemnation comes
from ignorance of the principles by which all such bodies operate.

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FA facing further Tevez fallout• Players' claim could lead to another
arbitration case
Lawyers expecting reply from West Ham within week
Owen Gibson The Guardian, Thursday 19 March 2009

The FA may have to convene yet another independent tribunal to examine the
fallout from the Carlos Tevez affair if West Ham United fail to settle a
claim from Sheffield United's former squad, it has emerged. The group of
around 20 players taking action against both West Ham and their own club
could take their case to arbitration under the FA's rules, despite Lord
Griffiths having already chaired a panel that examined the dispute between
Sheffield United and West Ham.

Because the players were not part of that claim, which was settled before
Lord Griffiths was able to decide on compensation, with an agreement that
West Ham would pay the Yorkshire club £15m over five years plus an extra £5m
if the club was sold, they are free to start their own process. The
likelihood of yet another arbitration case could further drag out an already
tortuous regulatory process.

Since 2007, when the Hammers stayed up partly thanks to the contribution of
Tevez, the case has already covered: the original Premier League judgment
that imposed a fine of £5.5m for breaking rules on third-party ownership;
the Griffiths panel that was critical of West Ham's conduct in the aftermath
of that decision; and the joint FA and Premier League investigation
announced this year to examine the consequences of his findings.

It is understood that the lawyer representing the group of players and
backroom staff, Chris Farnell of IPS Law, is expecting to hear back from
West Ham within the next week.

On Tuesday, the club issued a strongly worded statement in which it promised
to "strongly resist any attempts to prolong this matter through the courts
both to protect our interests and those of the wider game" and warned that
the spiraling claims could lead to "legal anarchy".

The Upton Park club, which had hoped to draw a line under the case, claimed
not to have received any "formal legal claims". But Farnell is believed to
have been in correspondence with West Ham for more than six months.It is
believed that if neither West Ham or Sheffield United come up with a
satisfactory settlement, the most likely outcome is that the case will be
taken to arbitration under the FA's rule K5.

An FA spokesman yesterday confirmed that the players would be within their
rights to pursue the case through its regulatory framework.

In addition to the Sheffield United players who are claiming for lost
earnings and bonuses that they would have been due had they stayed up, then
manager Neil Warnock is also speaking to his lawyers and Leeds United
chairman Ken Bates is considering launching a claim for success-related
bonuses that would have been due on transfer fees had the Blades stayed up.

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Tevez twist: Rivals wants a slice of Blades' £25m compensation
By Simon Cass Last updated at 1:22 AM on 19th March 2009
Daily Mail

Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Preston are understood to have taken
legal advice about launching a compensation claim against Sheffield United
as the ramifications of the Carlos Tevez affair rumble on. Leeds United
chairman Ken Bates revealed yesterday that he is considering staking a claim
for a £500,000 slice of the £25million West Ham have agreed to pay Sheffield
United in compensation for their relegation two years ago. Bates believes
that he is entitled a windfall because three players he sold to the
Sheffield club during the 2006-07 season - midfielder Matthew Kilgallon,
striker Rob Hulse and Ian Bennett - had clauses written into their contracts
entitling Leeds to bonus payments should their Yorkshire rivals have stayed
in the top flight. Using the same criteria, Sunderland West Bromwich and
Preston are now considering following suit as the 'legal anarchy' predicted
in yesterday's Sportsmail by West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury appears
to be gathering pace. Preston sold defenders Chris Lucketti and Claude Davis
to United in the summer of 2006, while West Bromwich transferred Geoff
Horsfield and Sunderland striker Jon Stead moved to Bramall Lane in the
January transfer window. Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock and
several of his players are already seeking legal advice about launching a
compensation claim against West Ham for loss of earnings as a result of the
Blades' relegation on the last day of the season two years ago.

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Tevezgate - entering the realms of farce
Cmon Yu Irons

Not so much entering as it goes, we're there already. The claim by Bates up
at Leeds that if Sheffield United are due compo then so are they because
they are missing out on add-ons for players sold to the Blades who would
have made more Premiership apperances had they not been relegated isn't
laughable because he's serious. It is though, by any right thinking
individual, absurd, perverse and just plain opportunist. What next? Perhaps
WHUFC will now receive small claims court summonses from all of the burger
and hot dog retailers around Sheffield who will claim loss of earnings
because of reduced crowd size. It's just as logical.

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West Ham been made to carry the can for someone else's incompetence?
Posted by: Rob Facey , on Wed 18 Mar 2009
West Ham Football Fancast

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders when the PL will admit the
blame for allowing the Carlos Tevez affair drag on and what they can do to
ease West Ham's pain?

Just when we thought it was over, Neil Warnock said he will be suing West
Ham for financial loss. Up to 20 players are reportedly considering the same
thing. Not to mention Fulham and Wigan who, as one lawyer speaking on Sky
Sports News helpfully pointed out, are more than entitled to try their luck
considering that they finished below West Ham in 2006/07, earning less as a
result.

West Ham are being made to carry the can for Premier League incompetence,
but can anything be done to stop this from becoming the norm?

In a statement released by the East London club, West Ham warned of 'legal
anarchy' unless the FA, Premier League and other relevant authorities get a
grip on the situation.

"Despite the media coverage, West Ham United have received no formal legal
claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager [Neil
Warnock] relating to the so-called Tevez affair," the statement read, as
reported in The Independent.

"The club have settled the matter of compensation and can see no basis for
claims being brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the
Football Association.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has
encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims.
There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham United and we
will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."


While Warnock has not yet officially filed a legal complaint, he has gone on
record to say that he "should still be a Premier League manager" and is
widely expected to go ahead with this in the coming days.

The media coverage is not the problem here, it is the Premier League's
incompetence in dealing with the issue in the first place.

If an adequate punishment was delivered as soon as a problem was seen then
we would not be discussing this 3 years later.

As well as the fine West Ham received at the time, not to mention the out of
court settlement agreed between the clubs this week, the club are now going
to be subjected to claims from individuals.

Where will this end? Why can't the Premier League admit they made a mistake
and are making West Ham pay for it?

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Well Every West Ham Fan Knew This Would Happen!
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 18 March, 2009 - 15:01.
West Ham Fans.org

It's chocks away for the legal silly season, the long running Tevez saga has
provided a glimpse of light at the end of the respective tunnels of the
lawyers who had no work, and the toothless Players Union who have fallen
breathlessly for the lead role they feel they can fill in defending their
precious little charges. Sheffield United may be the first club to discover
the extent of the newly active legal minefield primed to go off if Barnsley
are relegated and their directors choose to link their relegation to League
One with the elbow assault by Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United captain,
into the face of Iain Hume, Barnsley's now incapacitated striker and record
signing. This is just the start, can of worms? -Ed

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ZOLA KID ZO KEEN 19/03/2009
The Mirror

West Ham kid Junior Stanislas has pleaded with boss Gianfranco Zola to hand
him his first start. The winger, 19, made his debut as a second-half
substitute in Monday's scoreless draw with West Brom. He now wants Zola to
give him the chance to show what he can do over 90 minutes. Stanislas said:
"It was good to get 20-25 minutes. Obviously it wasn't long enough for me to
do everything. To start a game would be nice. I just want to get some more
gametime under my belt." Former Southend loanee Stanislas is the seventh
graduate of the Hammers academy to appear in the first team this season. And
he believes there are more to follow on the club's production line,
including reserve team skipper Bondz N'Gala. He added: "Bondz will get his
chance. I've got mine and he will get his."

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Bondz N'Gala tipped be next off West Ham conveyor belt
19.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Junior Stanislas has told West Ham United fans that defender Bondz N'Gala
will be the next off the development conveyor belt. The winger told
whufc.com: "Bondz will get his chance as well. I've got mine and he will get
his so it's all good. It was a good experience for me. "We're in seventh
place and could maybe have played a bit better and picked up a couple more
points but, personally, it was a good start for me."

Hammers reserves coach Alex Dyer also said of N'Gala: "I see that hopefully
he can go on and play first-team football, hopefully with West Ham but, if
not, certainly at a good level of the game. He works hard in training and
trains with the first team all the time now and you can see that he's
developing. He's comfortable on the ball and he can pass it. You can see
that he encourages others to do the best around him and that's why I made
him captain."

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Junior Stanislas delighted with West Ham cameo
19.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United winger Junior Stanislas was delighted with his Premiership
cameo against West Brom in their 0-0 draw this week. He told whufc.com: "It
was a good experience. I was glad to get on for 20 or 25 minutes and show
what I can do. Obviously it wasn't long enough for me to do everything but
hopefully I did a little bit and showed a few people that. "I definitely
feel that it [all my work since joining the club as an eleven-year-old] has
been worthwhile. I have put in a lot of hard work over years and years and
it was an amazing night for me. All that hard work paid off. Obviously I now
have to keep working hard to achieve my dreams. "To start a game would be
nice, but I'd be happy just to get some more game-time in the first-team
under my belt. I just want to keep learning and taking things from the other
boys in training and keep pushing on."

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Sunderland, West Brom to join compo claims against Sheffield Utd
19.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Sunderland and West Brom could be among clubs seeking compo from Sheffield
United after their tribunal victory over West Ham. Leeds United chairman Ken
Bates revealed yesterday that he is considering staking a claim for a
£500,000 slice of the £25million West Ham have agreed to pay Sheffield
United in compensation for their relegation two years ago. The Daily Mail
says Sunderland West Bromwich and Preston are now considering following
suit. Preston sold defenders Chris Lucketti and Claude Davis to United in
the summer of 2006, while West Bromwich transferred Geoff Horsfield and
Sunderland striker Jon Stead moved to Bramall Lane in the January transfer
window.

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Wednesday, March 18

Daily WHUFC News - Web Item

Football's lawbreakers, Ferguson's strop and Uefa's sense over Hillsborough
The Times
Gabriele Marcotti

Hey, here's an idea. Sheffield United are getting – depending who you
believe – between £15 million and £25 million in compensation from West Ham
because the Hammers supposedly fielded an ineligible player (Carlos Tevez)
and his presence on the pitch caused the Blades to be relegated.

Fine. So why don't a bunch of clubs take legal action against Derby County?
Back in 1999-2000, the Rams featured a striker named Esteban Fuertes. He
only played in eight Premier League games (scoring one goal), but surely his
presence somehow impacted the league, no? And surely the fact that he was
working here thanks to a dodgy passport (Derby kicked him out when the truth
emerged six months after his arrival) makes him an ineligible player, right?

Derby finished sixteenth that year, five points clear of relegation.

But they did tally eleven points in the eight games in which Fuertes played,
surely he was responsible for some of them? Heck, if Fuertes hadn't been
around maybe Wimbledon, who finished eighteenth, wouldn't have been
relegated. And maybe Roman Abramovich would have bought them instead of
Chelsea. Or, if that sounds far-fetched, maybe they would have had enough
cash in the bank to avoid turning into MK Dons.

I'm not joking. Fuertes is the obvious case, but it's well known he wasn't
the only one getting around EU employment law thanks to a dubious passport.
There are at least half a dozen cases; you can do your own research on them,
the web is a great thing.

As everyone supposedly jumps on the lawsuit bandwagon to make a few bob out
of West Ham, it might be wise to ask why the East London club are paying for
their supposed sins, but so many others got away scot free.

It may be even wiser to leave the lawyers to crawl back under their rocks
and leave civil justice to deal with non-sporting issues.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
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Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Daily WHUFC News - 18th March 2009

West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have issued a statement following reports on Tuesday
relating to the so-called Tevez affair
17.03.2009

Responding to reports today (Tuesday 17 March), West Ham United said:
"Despite the extensive media coverage, West Ham United have received no
formal legal claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager
relating to the so-called Tevez affair.

"The club have settled the matter of compensation, as ruled upon by Lord
Griffiths, with Sheffield United and can see no basis for claims being
brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the Football
Association, which has now been brought to a close.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has
encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims,
which can only be damaging to English football. As a club we will strongly
resist any attempts to prolong this matter through the courts both to
protect our interests and those of the wider game. There is a lot more at
stake than the finances of West Ham United and we will do all we can to stop
this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green still keen
WHUFC.com
Robert Green has reflected on 'a difficult night' that nevertheless keeps
the team moving forward for Europe
18.03.2009

Robert Green was not biting his tongue following Monday's Premier League
goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion. He had already done so, painfully,
following a clash with Baggies defender Jonas Olsson.

The Swede's 51st-minute challenge left the England goalkeeper feeling a bit
groggy and nursing a nasty cut in his mouth. Afterwards, however, the
29-year-old absolved Olsson of any blame for his uncomfortable injury,
pointing out that accidental collisions happen countless times in every game
of football.

"He caught me a treat and I managed to bite my tongue. For the remainder of
the game I could feel bits flaking off it. It is sore and I felt a bit
groggy but I certainly didn't see anything of the player or anything like
that. It's just one of those things that happens in football and you just
pick yourself up and come for the next cross. I did that and I helped the
team out as much as I could."

Focusing on the match itself Green, who made a fantastic save from James
Morrison to keep the match goalless, admitted the Hammers had lacked the
quality to break down Tony Mowbray's relegation-battlers and snatch a vital
winning goal.

"I think the way they played and with the players missing from our side it
made for a difficult night. They packed the midfield because they realised
that when we had the ball were not going to be able to hit it to a big man
up front because we had two small men up there. That made it difficult for
us.

"Having said that, even when we were on the ball, the quality probably
wasn't there even at the best of times and I don't think we had a shot on
target all night. When that happens, the best case scenario is getting a
nil-nil draw and we did that. We defended well and everyone worked really
hard. The difficulty was the quality on the ball that, on another day, would
have happened but it wasn't there for us."

While he and his team-mates would ideally have liked to have picked up a
third consecutive Premier League victory following wins over Manchester City
and Wigan Athletic, Green admitted that, without the suspended Carlton Cole
and injured Valon Behrami and Jack Collison, life was always going to be
more difficult against West Brom.

As such, he conceded that perhaps a goalless draw was not the worst result
in the world for Gianfranco Zola's team, who are still in pole position for
a place in next season's UEFA Europa League.

"It's a difficult one because the expectation levels are there. Looking at
the previous games we just managed to take a chance but against West Brom
there were not many chances to take. It was kind of a role reversal from
earlier this season when we were scoring quite a few goals but also
conceding quite a few. If you get the two right you're a decent winning team
but you can't fault the lads for their effort. It was clearly not the
sharpest game we've ever played."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dyer sees the positives
WHUFC.com
A commendable display against a high-flying Villa team has left coach Alex
Dyer more than content
18.03.2009

Alex Dyer was proud of his young players' efforts following West Ham
United's 2-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League South defeat by runaway leaders
Aston Villa.

With the first team in Premier League action against West Bromwich Albion at
the weekend, Dyer named a youthful side including no fewer than nine
teenagers against an in-form Villa lineup featuring former Hammers striker
Marlon Harewood and Togo World Cup star Moustapha Salifou.

Defenders Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Matt Fry, midfielders Danny Kearns,
Georg Grasser, Oliver Lee and Anthony Edgar and striker Balint Bajner all
started at Bishop's Stortford, while fellow Academy students Ahmed Abdulla,
Cristian Montano and Sergio Sanchez were introduced from the substitutes'
bench.

Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, on loan from Ujpest FC until the
end of the season, was handed his competitive debut, while towering central
defender Bondz N'Gala was again entrusted with the captain's armband.

A goal in each half from Austrians Andreas Weimann and Dominik Hofbauer
proved to be the difference between the two sides, but coach Dyer was far
from disappointed with his youngsters' collective performance against a
Villa team that are now eight points clear at the top of the standings.

"We definitely were not disgraced. The boys came out and worked hard, we had
to change the formation a little bit and they adapted well to playing with
three at the back. We let in a sloppy goal just before half-time but, apart
from that, they boys can take a lot of credit from their performance.

"I put an extra man back there and they worked well together. We actually
played that same formation at Villa away [in the reverse fixture] and it
worked well there again. It was still good. The lads came out after
half-time and dug in and, to be fair, in the second half we had a good go at
it.

"They scored another goal at the end but you are going to get that when you
play with a lot of kids. Players switch-off or have a lapse here and there
but, overall, it was a good performance from the boys."

Dyer was pleased with the application and attitude shown by all of his
players, with Under-18 midfielders Lee and Grasser earning praise for their
approach to what was a stern test that will undoubtedly aid their long-term
development.

"They did well. Ollie played in a wing-back position and got up and down and
defended well. He also got forward and tried to deliver some passes to the
strikers Georg just sat in there in front of the defence and tried to get it
down and play. It was hard for a lot of the lads because they've had a lot
of games lately what with doubling up with the reserves and the youth team.
It's done them no harm whatsoever."

Dyer was also pleased with the leadership qualities shown by N'Gala. The
19-year-old returned from a loan spell at League One MK Dons to skipper the
reserves to an impressive victory at Arsenal a week ago, and the coach was
again impressed with his captain's inspirational qualities.

"I see that hopefully he can go on and play first-team football, hopefully
with West Ham but, if not, certainly at a good level of the game. He works
hard in training and trains with the first team all the time now and you can
see that he's developing. He's comfortable on the ball and he can pass it.
You can see that he encourages others to do the best around him and that's
why I made him captain."

With four games left, West Ham sit third in the nine-team table and Dyer is
targeting a top-three finish to complete what has been an encouraging season
at second-string level.

"I've said before that it's not the most important thing to win the games in
the reserves - it's about the development of players - but we still want to
win and finish as high as possible. It's good for the club if we can finish
second or third so that's what we'll be going for."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neill named in Australia squad
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill has been called up by Australia for their upcoming FIFA World
Cup qualifier with Uzbekistan
18.03.2009

Australia head coach Pim Veerbeek has called up Lucas Neill to his squad for
their FIFA World Cup Asian group qualifier against Uzbekistan in Sydney. The
West Ham United and Australia captain will be looking to win his 48th cap
for his country when the sides meet on 1 April. The Socceroos are flying
high at the top of the Asian qualifier group with ten points from four
games, while Uzbekistan prop up the table in fifth position with one point
from their first four matchs.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Villa edge out reserves
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's young reserve side were beaten 2-0 by league leaders Aston Villa
at Bishop's Stortford
17.03.2009

West Ham United reserves 0-2 Aston Villa reserves

A youthful West Ham United fell to a Barclays Premier Reserve League South
defeat by runaway leaders Aston Villa on a chilly night at Bishop's
Stortford.

Hammers coach Alex Dyer named an inexperienced lineup containing just one
player - 20-year-old striker Zavon Hines - with a first-team appearance for
the club under his belt. Dyer also handed a competitive debut to Hungary
Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, who has joined West Ham from Ujpest FC on
loan until the end of the season.

West Ham's youngsters produced a spirited display in front of the watching
Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke at Woodside Park, with Hines and Under-18
midfielders Oliver Lee and Georg Grasser looking particularly lively.

However, it was Villa's Austrian Under-17 international winger Andreas
Weimann who scored the opening goal of what was a slow-burner of a game,
netting from close-range following a strong run and low cross from former
West Ham striker Marlon Harewood ten minutes before half-time.

In fairness, Weimann's strike was no more than Kevin MacDonald's side, who
are now eight points clear at the top of the table, deserved at the end of a
first half they largely dominated. Aside from the 17-year-old's goal, the
impressive Kurucz also did well to thwart the goalscorer again a short time
later, while Nathan Delfouneso and Togo midfielder Moustapha Salifou also
went close to doubling Villa's advantage before the break.

West Ham's best chance of the opening period fell to Balint Bajner after
just five minutes, but the Hungary Under-19 striker was denied by a good low
save from goalkeeper Elliott Parish following tricky build-up play from
partner Hines.

It was a much more even game after the interval, with both Hines and
Under-18 winger Anthony Edgar going close to levelling matters. First, Hines
dragged his shot wide of the near post on 64 minutes after robbing his
marker. Then, just 90 seconds later, Edgar was unlucky to see his
well-struck shot bounce back off a startled Parish.

Earlier in the half, the hosts also had claims for a penalty turned down by
the referee after Bajner's hooked effort appeared to hit a hand inside the
18-yard box.

While West Ham, who employed a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation, posed a greater
threat during the second 45 minutes, a confident-looking Villa were always
ready to spring forward themselves and could easily have doubled their
advantage but for their own wayward finishing.

Salifou could only fire weakly at Kurucz following a period of neat build-up
play, while the Hungarian goalkeeper was also in the right place to gather
England Under-19 striker Delfouneso's effort from Marc Albrighton's deep
cross.

The Villans' clearest opportunity, however, fell to substitute Dominik
Hofbauer, but the 17-year-old Austrian could only scoop his shot over the
crossbar after latching on to Salifou's inch-perfect pass.

Dyer sent on forwards Ahmed Abdulla - a recent goalscorer for Tony Carr's
Under-18s - and Cristian Montano in search of an equaliser, only for
MacDonald's visitors to double their lead through former SK Sturm Graz
youngster Hofbauer's 84th minute header. The visitors then.held on to secure
a victory that all but guarantees them the Barclays Premier Reserve League
South title.

Youth team defender Sergio Sanchez, who has joined West Ham from Barcelona,
was sent on for his reserve team debut with five minutes remaining, but the
game was already up by then.

For West Ham, there are still 12 points and a possible second-placed finish
left to play for when Dyer's side return to action at Stoke City on Monday
30 March.

West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Okus, Fry, N'Gala, Eyjolfsson, Kearns,
Lee, Grasser (Sanchez 86), Edgar, Bajner (Abdulla 75), Hines (Montano 81)
Subs not used: Loveday, McNaughton

Aston Villa reserves: Parish, Roome, Lichaj, Clark, Lowry (Baker 61),
Albrighton, Hogg, Salifou, Weimann (Hofbauer 64), Delfouneso (Collins 90),
Harewood
Subs not used: Dau, Gardner

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(Legal) anarchy in the UK
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United have released a statement condemning those parties wishing
to cash in by way of compensation claims in the wake of the out-of-court
settlement with Sheffield United.

The Hammers released a statement tonight after a day in which no less than
three parties - the current and former players of Sheffield United, Leeds
United and former Blades manager Neil Warnock - announced their intention to
sue West Ham for damages.

Sheffield United won up to £25million compensation yesterday having
successfully argued that their relegation from the Premier League in 2007
was due solely to the appearances of Carlos Tevez in a West Ham shirt that
season.

The statement, posted on whufc.com (and attributed to 'West Ham United'
rather than CEO Scott Duxbury who is usually responsible for such briefings)
confirmed that the club were yet to receive any further claims since Monday
- whilst adding that they could see 'no basis' for further claims.

"Despite the extensive media coverage, West Ham United have received no
formal legal claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager
relating to the so-called Tevez affair," read the statement.

"The club have settled the matter of compensation, as ruled upon by Lord
Griffiths, with Sheffield United and can see no basis for claims being
brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the Football
Association, which has now been brought to a close.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has
encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims,
which can only be damaging to English football. As a club we will strongly
resist any attempts to prolong this matter through the courts both to
protect our interests and those of the wider game.

"There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham United and we
will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."

* Sky Sports are reporting tonight that West Ham asked for details of the
potential claim by the 2006/07 Sheffield United squad members four weeks ago
- compensation which the group's legal representative has revealed is worth
around £3million.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers will fight Warnock
West Ham vow to 'strongly resist' any further legal action over Tevez affair
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

West Ham have vowed to 'strongly resist' any further legal action over the
Carlos Tevez affair. The club reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement
with Sheffield United this week after an arbitration panel had ruled the
Argentina international should not have been permitted to play in the final
matches of the 2006/07 Premier League season. But that does not seem to be
an end of the matter as former Blades boss Neil Warnock has revealed he is
considering launching a personal compensation claim.
Sky Sports News understands that Sheffield United players have made a legal
claim in excess of £3million. But the Hammers say they have not received any
formal legal claims, and will 'strongly resist any attempts to prolong this
matter through the courts'. In a statement on the club's official website,
West Ham said: "Despite the extensive media coverage, West Ham United have
received no formal legal claims from Sheffield United players or their
previous manager relating to the so-called Tevez affair.
"The club have settled the matter of compensation, as ruled upon by Lord
Griffiths, with Sheffield United and can see no basis for claims being
brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the Football
Association, which has now been brought to a close. "However, it is now
becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has encouraged a
potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims, which can only
be damaging to English football. As a club we will strongly resist any
attempts to prolong this matter through the courts both to protect our
interests and those of the wider game. "There is a lot more at stake than
the finances of West Ham United and we will do all we can to stop this
matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."
Chris Farnell - from IPS Law, representing the players who are considering
taking action after their relegation - stressed details of their claim have
been sent to West Ham.
Farnell told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have been in contact with the lawyers
acting on behalf of West Ham for some period time in correspondence, and
they have detailed base of our claim. "They have a period of time to respond
to that in one way or another. Either the matter will be settled from that
or we will proceed towards arbitration. It would be arbitration, not a
court, under the rules of the Premier League."
Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has also confirmed his club are seeking
legal advice regarding a compensation claim. The Blades' relegation in 2007
meant that Leeds missed out on contingency payments, believed to total a
six-figure sum, in relation to Premier League survival for the transfers of
Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon and Ian Bennett.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Green remembers positives
Hammers keeper has strong memories of great escape
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

Robert Green has recalled West Ham's great escape ahead of the Carlos Tevez
affair, when reflecting on the dramatic events of the 2006/07 season. The
keeper's comments come after the Hammers this week agreed an out-of-court
settlement with Sheffield United over the saga. While Tevez's goals helped
keep the Hammers up, Green also had a key role in the final weeks of that
season, with his inspired performance against Arsenal coming during an
amazing run that saw West Ham win seven games out of their last nine. Green
believes the Hammers' fans will remember the positives once the dust settles
on the affair. He said: "That is what I'll remember, the staying up, and
that is what the West Ham fans will do too."
While the two clubs have reached agreement, the saga looks set to rumble on
as there could still be compensation claims from former Blades boss Neil
Warnock and the players who were relegated. Green added: "They can do what
they like, to be honest. "There is only so much before you lose interest.
"It has been going on for two years but it is one of those things and if it
rumbles on, it rumbles on."
The two clubs could also meet each other next season if the Blades are
promoted from the Championship, with any clash having extra spice after the
Tevez affair.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bates considering compensation
Whites supremo seeking six-figure sum over Tevez affair
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

Ken Bates has confirmed Leeds United are seeking legal advice regarding a
compensation claim, following the settlement of the Carlos Tevez affair.
Sheffield United agreed an undisclosed out-of-court settlement with West Ham
after an arbitration panel had ruled the Argentina international should not
have been permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006/07 Premier
League season. The Blades' relegation in 2007 meant that Leeds missed out on
contingency payments, believed to total a six-figure sum, in relation to
Premier League survival for the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon
and Ian Bennett. "We sold a number of players to Sheffield United with
contingencies," he told Yorkshire Radio. "When they got relegated on the
last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum. "That's what we
lost and if they are being compensated for their loss we believe we should
be compensated for our loss. There are other clubs in the same boat who have
similar claims. "Ours is the biggest claim and it would be nice to collect
that and strengthen our squad. We are currently taking advice on it and
won't be commenting further at this time."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham warn of 'legal anarchy' in Tevez claims
By John Nisbet
Independent.co.uk
Wednesday, 18 March 2009

West Ham United last night insisted it was time to draw a line under the
Carlos Tevez affair saying the whole episode could turn into "legal anarchy"
as they could still face further potential compensation claims after paying
out twice already.

The London club and Sheffield United brokered a settlement to end the
dispute between the clubs yesterday, which is thought to have been in the
region of £25m in favour of the Yorkshire side. The Blades sought
compensation after their relegation to the Championship in 2007, which they
believe would have been West Ham's fate if not for the goals scored by
Tevez, – illegally a Hammers player – and an independent panel chaired by
Lord Griffiths favoured them in its initial findings.

The West Ham statement read: "Despite the media coverage, West Ham United
have received no formal legal claims from Sheffield United players or their
previous manager [Neil Warnock] relating to the so-called Tevez affair. The
club have settled the matter of compensation and can see no basis for claims
being brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the
Football Association.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has
encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims.
There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham United and we
will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Neil Warnock Gives The Skinny On Why He Wants To Crush West Ham In Court
True to the first syllable of his name, Warnock is not letting peace prevail
in what looked to be a settled dispute...
18 Mar 2009 02:57:13
Goal.com

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has spoken at length about his
grievances towards West Ham United over the Carlos Tevez saga and gave
justification as to why he is preparing to take the matter to court. The
protracted dispute between the two clubs over the Hammers' fielding of
Carlos Tevez, who was deemed ineligible for the 2006-07 campaign, finally
looked to have come to an accord on Monday after the warring parties agreed
an out-of-court compensation package. However, Warnock still has a major
bone to pick, though he insisted that he is motivated by the pursuit of
justice rather than revenge by way of a fat payout. Warnock told Sky Sports
News, "I am pleased it's finalised because we knew all along we were in the
right. There should have been action sooner but at least now it can be put
to bed between the two clubs.
"If it had been a bigger club it would have been dealt with at the time and
it wouldn't have been brushed under the carpet. I am very bitter about
Richard Scudamore and the Premier League because it was my dream job as
well. "I wanted to get this out of the way first and then I would look at
it. I will be taking legal advice myself. "I just feel very bitter that I am
not a Premier league manager still. If you only knew how much hard work it
was in the seven years to get the team up to the Premier League, it was a
bitter disappointment knowing Tevez shouldn't have been in the [West Ham]
team the last few weeks."
Warnock, who is adamant that Sheffield United would still be in England's
top tier two years on were it not for their most dubious of relegations, had
the following reaction when asked whether he has a vendetta against the
Hammers: "Not really, no. I would love to manage them. "You are going to get
stick and we have been slaughtered in the London press, especially. "But
justice in England is the major thing and it would have been easy to brush
Sheffield United aside. "We have wanted the truth to come out all the way
along the line. When wrongs have been done against you, you fight for your
cause. "I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premier
League status. "I think we could have been an established Premier League
side and we had high hopes of taking the club forward, spending money in our
first summer to keep us up. "Even West Ham fans know, if you ask them why
they stayed up, there is only one word and that is Tevez."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham confident they can fight off Neil Warnock legal action over Carlos
Tevez affair
West Ham and the Premier League are confident that they will be able to
defend any legal action from Neil Warnock or Sheffield United players
arising from the Carlos Tevez affair.
Telegraph
By Paul Kelso and John Ley
Last Updated: 7:53AM GMT 18 Mar 2009

Last week the two clubs agreed compensation of £20 million, to be paid over
the next five years, for Tevez's role in keeping West Ham in the Premier
League and relegating United.

The agreement was announced on Monday, prompting Warnock to threaten to sue
West Ham and launch a tirade of criticism at the Premier League and its
chief executive Richard Scudamore.

North East clubs in danger of heading south West Ham were initially fined
£5.5 million by an independent Premier League panel for breaching
third-party ownership rules, and a subsequent Football Association tribunal
chaired by Lord Griffiths ruled that compensation should be paid.

All attempts by both clubs to challenge these decisions in the courts have
failed, and the League and West Ham are convinced that the process is
legally robust.

Sheffield United have agreed as part of their deal with West Ham not to
support any action brought by players, and the Upton Park club are yet to
receive any writs.

In a statement West Ham said: "West Ham United have received no formal legal
claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager relating to
the so-called Tevez affair.

"It is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has encouraged a
potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims, which can only
be damaging to English football.

"As a club we will strongly resist any attempts to prolong this matter
through the courts both to protect our interests and those of the wider
game. There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham United and
we will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal
anarchy."

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor claimed
that Sheffield United players had a right to expect compensation, but
indicated it should come from Sheffield rather than West Ham: "I think the
very fact that you've had a judge, in arbitration, make it clear that West
Ham did breach the rules and, as such, have a duty to a club that got
relegated. And from that point of view that's been quantified.

"And in a similar way we'd expect the players to be similarly compensated.
My expectation would have been was that should have been included in the sum
that Sheffield have already got."

It is understood that any claims made by players or Warnock will have to be
carried out independently.

"We've raised it with Sheffield and they said they were advised not to
include the players," added Taylor. "I find that quite astonishing really
because it can now lead to a claim from the players against their own club
or, in some cases, the former club."

Warnock, now at Crystal Palace, has confirmed he is seeking advice, adding:
"I just feel very bitter that I'm not a Premiership manager still.

"If you only new how hard work it was in the seven years to get the team
into the Premiership, you'd realise the bitter disappointment, knowing Tevez
shouldn't have been in the [West Ham] team the last few weeks.

"I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premiership
status; everybody knows it was my dream job. I think we could have been an
established Premiership side."

Meanwhile, West Ham remain on course for a place in Europe after drawing 0-0
with West Bromwich Albion on Monday. And goalkeeper Robert Green, who kept a
third successive clean sheet and was in goal when West Ham survived at the
end of the 2006-07 campaign, is glad the clubs have come to agreement.

Asked about potential claims by Sheffield United players, Green said: "They
can do what they like."

Green suffered a potential serious clash on Monday when he was caught by the
arm of Albion defender Jonas Olsson. Referee Mark Halsey took no action at
the time and, after viewing the incident again, he has confirmed he was
happy with the challenge, meaning that the FA will take no action against
the Swede.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham tell Warnock: 'Enough is enough'
Print this page
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2009
Source: ITN

West Ham have insisted it is time to draw a line under the Carlos Tevez
saga, despite fresh reports that former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock
is set to sue the club.

The Londoners and United brokered a settlement to end the dispute between
the clubs on Monday, which is thought to have been in the region of £10-15
million in favour of the South Yorkshire side.

The Blades sought compensation after their relegation to the Championship in
2007, which they believe would have been West Ham's fate if not for the
goals scored by Tevez, and an independent panel chaired by Lord Griffiths
favoured them in its initial findings.

Argentina striker Tevez, now with Manchester United, moved to Upton Park at
the start of the 2006-07 season with compatriot Javier Mascherano, but the
club were later fined £5.5million by the Premier League for failing to fully
disclose the terms of the deal that brought the pair to England.

Sheffield United continued to pursue a private damages claim, and it has now
emerged their former manager Neil Warnock and a group of Blades players are
considering bringing new cases against the Hammers.

West Ham issued a statement on their website saying they will do everything
they can to prevent "legal anarchy".

It read: "Despite the extensive media coverage, we have received no formal
legal claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager
relating to the so-called Tevez affair.

"The club have settled the matter of compensation, as ruled upon by Lord
Griffiths, with Sheffield United and can see no basis for claims being
brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the Football
Association, which has now been brought to a close.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has
encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims,
which can only be damaging to English football.

"As a club, we will strongly resist any attempts to prolong this matter
through the courts, both to protect our interests and those of the wider
game.

"There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham and we will do
all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Palace look set for mid-table mediocrity so Warnock blames West Ham,
Scudamore and refs
Last updated at 10:37 AM on 18th March 2009
Daily Mail

Neil Warnock showed last night why he might need to spend a little more time
worrying about Crystal Palace and a little less worrying about claiming
compensation from West Ham. The outspoken manager has just presided over
five defeats in the last eight games, the latest a 3-1 defeat at Barnsley,
and in his second season in charge of the Selhurst Park club has failed to
make the team into genuine promotion material. Warnock may well put in more
than the required hours for the job, but evidently it is to little effect.
If he was the great Premier League manager that he contends he should be,
making it into last term's play-off semi-finals as your main achievement is
not exactly impressive. Warnock, who seems never to have been at fault for a
defeat (just ask the countless officials he has blamed), has called for the
head of Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore. The point he makes
about the authority's conduct is a good one but the way he is going he
should be more worried about feeling the axe than urging others to swing it.

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Why Carlos Tevez farce should be the end of Richard Scudamore, by Oliver
Holt
By Oliver Holt 18/03/2009
The Mirror

Now that West Ham have agreed to pay Sheffield United £15million and
effectively admitted they cheated them out of a place in the Premier League,
I don't blame Neil Warnock for at least thinking about pursuing the
six-figure bonus he'd been promised for keeping Sheffield up that season.

And why should Richard Scudamore who mishandled the affair from start to
finish, now retain even a shred of credibility as Premier League chief
executive?

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Relegation Lawyers 4U are only winners after Tevez ruling
Last updated at 7:48 AM on 18th March 2009
Daily Mail

'Ultimately, however, we have not found it necessary to come to a conclusion
whether the cause of Sheffield United's relegation was (a) the number of
points achieved by West Ham with Mr Tevez's assistance or (b) Sheffield
United's poor performance. At most Sheffield United's poor performance was
an equally effective cause. This is insufficient to displace the causation
of another effective cause. The law is summarised in Chitty on Contracts
(29th ed), Vol 1, paragraph 26-038 under the heading 'Two Causes': 'If a
breach of contract is one of two causes, both co-operating and both of equal
efficacy in causing loss to the claimant, the party responsible for the
breach is liable to the claimant for the loss. The contract breaker is
liable so long as his breach was "an" effective cause of his loss; the court
need not choose which cause was more effective.'

Got that? Because you will be hearing a lot of it in the future. It is the
reason the Carlos Tevez saga is not over and the Iain Hume saga may only
just be beginning. It explains the emergence of hideous opportunists
Relegation Lawyers 4U and may ultimately infest every facet of sporting
competition, from the lowest Sunday league to the top of the Premier League.
It may not stop at football, either.

Was it really all down to me? Carlos Tevez during his eventful solitary
season at Upton Park.
Page 46 of the Lord Griffiths ruling, if you are interested. Except nobody
was. Mostly, people were so busy bellowing about justice when the Football
Association tribunal produced a decision out of left field - much like the
original Premier League commission that did not deduct points from West Ham
United because it was late in the season - that they did not examine the
finer details, the precedents and principles on which the case had been won.


For here, on the penultimate page of his summary, using contractual law from
a completely different area of commerce, Lord Griffiths, 85, brilliantly
establishes that your league position is nothing to do with you. It is the
work of that lot, them, whoever they are. All the other teams. And if one of
them has acted in bad faith and you can link their action to your
misfortune, then it is bonanza time. All the events, all the games that were
within your control, cease to matter.

Now we can look at this two ways. We can continue the celebrations or
examine the wider ramifications, because even if you think Sheffield United
were gypped, this is dangerous territory.

Indeed, Sheffield United may be the first club to discover the extent of the
legal minefield that has been planted if Barnsley are relegated and their
directors chose to link their fall into League One to the elbow thrown by
Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United captain, into the face of Hume,
Barnsley's incapacitated striker and record signing.

To begin with, Chitty on Contracts (29th ed), Vol 1, paragraph 26-038 under
the heading 'Two Causes', the precedent cited by Lord Griffiths to pin the
responsibility for Sheffield United's league position to a rival club. In
other forms of industry, this is how it works. Say you and I are in business
and I act in bad faith and break our contract. Your company then goes bust
and we end up in court.
'Ah,' I say, 'but this firm was going to the wall anyway. The staff were
useless, the management incompetent, it was a matter of time before it went
toes up.'

According to Chitty on Contracts, this does not matter. You do not have to
prove the viability of your business, only that by my actions I placed it in
jeopardy. This is what Lord Griffiths applied in the Tevez case, except he
used it with reference to a league table for which 20 clubs play 380
matches, which is not the same as a one-to-one arrangement.

The ruling of Lord Griffiths could mean that Barnsley take action against
Sheffield United after Iain Hume suffered a fractured skull in this
challenge from Chris Morgan.
Were Sheffield United and West Ham in a two-team league, yes, the principle
would apply; but how could West Ham be responsible for what happened on
April 17, 2007, for instance, when Neil Warnock, then the Sheffield United
manager, chose to field a weakened team at Manchester United and lost 2-0?
How can a single player at another club be responsible for Sheffield United
having the worst away record in the Premier League that season? Who can
quantify individual factors within so many variables? There were 19 other
teams in the Premier League that season and Sheffield United lost to 16 of
them.
On November 8, 2008, Barnsley striker Hume suffered brain damage as a result
of a challenge from Sheffield United defender Morgan. The replays of this
incident look horrendous. A yellow card was issued but no further action was
taken by the FA. Hume has not played since. It is sad but, under normal
circumstances, there the matter would end. At most, there could be a
personal claim by Hume against Morgan, which may still happen.

Yet what has changed as a result of the Lord Griffiths ruling is the dynamic
between the clubs. Barnsley were 17th and safe when that incident occurred
and, at the weekend, dropped into the relegation zone. Is that now the work
of a Sheffield United employee? Would Hume have made the difference? Nobody
knows, and before the Lord Griffiths ruling this uncertainty would have been
enough to preclude legal action. Now it is not.

Warnock, who must hold a world record for games lost in which it was
somebody else's fault, and his former Sheffield United players are preparing
for legal action, because Tevez cut short their Premier League careers.

Yes, it was Carlos Tevez, then a West Ham striker, who caused Warnock's team
to lose to Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham before he had even joined West Ham,
plus Reading (twice), Everton, Birmingham (in the Carling Cup), Chelsea
(twice), Manchester United (twice), West Ham (Tevez did not score and
stormed away from Upton Park after being substituted on 66 minutes),
Portsmouth, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Swansea (in the FA Cup),
Blackburn, Liverpool, Bolton, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wigan that season.
Stands to reason, doesn't it? Says right here on page 46.

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Curbishley fumes over claims Tevez saved West Ham
18.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Alan Curbishley has blasted claims that Carlos Tevez was sole reason for
West Ham United beating the drop two years ago. Curbishley, who led the
Hammers to safety in 2007 after guiding his side to seven victories from
their final nine league games, reckons claims that Tevez, now of Manchester
United, saved the club on his own are ludicrous. "It's fundamentally flawed,
I think, the argument that Carlos Tevez kept West Ham up," he said. "When
you think about what goes on in a whole season for the judgment to say that
Tevez kept us up, or was the main reason we stayed up, is wrong. Cast your
mind back, Tevez didn't score for 20 games. In the run in in the last nine
games we used 13 players which we never had the opportunity to do before
because of injuries. "People forget we scored a winning goal at Blackburn
that didn't cross the line - so are they going to sue the linesman and the
referee? We kept a lot of clean sheets. I don't think any West Ham fans will
ever forget the game at Arsenal when Rob Green made about a dozen saves.
Bobby Zamora scored two winning goals at home to Everton and away to
Arsenal. "Bobby Zamora had been out injured and came in for the run-in and
was nice and fresh. James Collins came in and was nice and fresh. We brought
Mark Noble in and suddenly we had a different team. We managed to keep it
together in terms of consistent team selection. "It was a fantastic run-in
and I always felt the side were good enough to stay up. It was a great
escape and it wasn't down to just one person."

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West Ham find Siena asking price too rich for Zuniga
18.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United face being priced out of a move for Siena fullback Juan
Camilo Zuniga. The Hammers have been tracking the 23-year-old Colombia
international but interest from Schalke has driven up his asking price to
more than £7.4million.

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Kurucz handed West Ham debut by Dyer
18.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Peter Kurucz made his West Ham United debut in yesterday's reserve-team
defeat to Aston Villa. Hammers coach Alex Dyer handed a competitive debut to
Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Kurucz, who has joined West Ham from Ujpest FC
on loan until the end of the season.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
http://www.justgiving.com/peter-robinson
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Thank You so much to those who have already contributed

Tuesday, March 17

Daily WHUFC News - II 17th March 2009

Reserves ready for high fliers
WHUFC.com
Alex Dyer's reserve side play host to table-toppers Aston Villa at Bishop's Stortford tonight
17.03.2009

Alex Dyer is expecting another difficult contest when his reserves take on Barclays Premier Reserve League South leaders Aston Villa at Bishop's Stortford this evening.

The second string Hammers achieved a tremendous 1-0 win at Arsenal last week despite a youthful selection that had no first-team players on view. The same is likely this evening although Dyer should be able to call upon the likes of goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and defenders Bondz N'Gala and Holmar Eyjolfsson to help stop a Villa attack that has fired the Midlands club eight points clear of third-placed West Ham. N'Gala is expected to captain the side as he did against the Gunners, while Kurucz could make his first competitive appearance at reserve-team level since signing from Ujpest in the absence of Marek Stech, who has joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.

Zavon Hines could make his first start for the club since signing a new contract earlier this month and the 20-year-old striker is hopeful of catching Gianfranco Zola's eye for the senior side before the end of the campaign. Hines has been hampered by a knee injury of late but could partner Balint Bajner, who is fresh from scoring twice for the Under-18s in a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season and Dyer is hoping the Arsenal and Palace successes have had a galvanising effect on his youngsters. "The lads have done well in the last week," he said. "Tonight will be a different prospect though. Villa are a strong side and work hard from start to finish. We have got some players in there like Bondz and Zavon that are getting close to the first team and they will help some of the younger ones along."

Admission to tonight's contest at Woodside Park is free to season ticket holders, £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. Kick-off is at 7pm.

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Zola makes a 'good point'
WHUFC.com
Gianfranco Zola was happy to see his side add another point in their hunt for a European place next season
17.03.2009

Gianfranco Zola was keen to look at the positives after Monday night's 0-0 draw with a battling West Bromwich Albion side.

West Ham United endured a frustrating evening in front of goal at the Boleyn Ground, with West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson rarely troubled. There were, however, plenty of plus points for the manager to carry into the weekend's game with Blackburn Rovers, with the encouraging displays of several of the younger members of his squad chief among them.

England Under-20 international James Tomkins was a particular shining light in central defence, while 19-year-old winger Junior Stanislas gave a promising performance on his debut after coming off the bench. Fellow teenagers Savio and Freddie Sears will also have both benefitted from an extended run out after starting, the latter for the first time. Zola said: "It is a good point for us because of all of the problems we had and because of a good performance from West Brom."

With Carlton Cole suspended, Jack Collison and Valon Behrami out through injury and Diego Tristan only fit enough for a place on the bench after recovering from a muscle injury, Zola was forced into rejigging both personnel and tactics for the match. The manager, however, did not want to use it as an excuse and was keen to praise the performance of Tony Mowbray's side.

"[Having players out] certainly doesn't help. We knew exactly what the problem might have been and that's why we tried to play differently. Certainly we were not the same team as we have been at other times but also I have to say West Brom played a very good match. I said before that they are a very good team, they play good football and they are a dangerous team."

The draw moves West Ham United two points clear in seventh position and keeps their chase for a possible UEFA Europa League place next year very much alive, and Zola is confident his side can hold on to their position until the end of the season.

"We have a few problems with injuries and a few big players missing for us but we are going to have a go and we are going to try. It is going to be a bit harder than before but we will try."

Zola was forced into reorganising his defence when Matthew Upson left the field with a calf injury in the 29th minute. Initial reports showed the injury was not too serious, although Upson will have further tests by the club's medical team before a decision is made on his availability for Saturday's game at Ewood Park.

"I am hopeful Matthew shouldn't be too bad. He had a problem before he came on the pitch but it shouldn't be too bad. I believe it is not a major problem but right now it is difficult to say how long it is going to be."

Tristan? The only reason I didn't play him is that he has been out with a muscle problem. Plus I had the feeling that Freddie deserved the chance today.
Tristan more presence? Maybe. It is a week that is very important week and how he works physically. If he works well and I see he is in good shape, I will play him.

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Tomkins takes heart
WHUFC.com
James Tomkins was pleased to have helped West Ham United to their third straight clean sheet
17.03.2009

James Tomkins admitted he and his West Ham United team-mates were in philosophical mood after being held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion.

The England Under-19 central defender was at his composed, assured best as West Ham kept a third consecutive clean sheet in Monday evening's Barclays Premier League fixture at the Boleyn Ground.

The 19-year-old will have impressed the watching England head coach Fabio Capello with the mature manner in which he dealt with the combined threat of the powerful Marc-Antoine Fortune as well as the speedy Luke Moore and Jay Simpson.

While Gianfranco Zola's men will have been frustrated not to secure all three points against the Premier League's bottom club, Tomkins was eager to point to the fact the Hammers maintained their fine defensive form against Tony Mowbray's side.

"Obviously it was a game we were expected to win with West Brom being the opposition and them being down the bottom and trying to keep their place in the Premier League. We were disappointed not to win. We had a few chances to nick it, but we had to be happy with the clean sheet.

Tomkins, who has started each of the Hammers' last four first-team fixtures in all competitions, excelled in the match after defensive partner Matthew Upson was withdrawn with a calf strain.

The 29-year-old Upson's injury is not thought to be too serious, although he will be assessed further on Tuesday to determine whether he will be in contention for Saturday's trip to Ewood Park. Upson's early departure against West Brom forced a reshuffle, with Lucas Neill slotting in alongside Tomkins and substitute Jonathan Spector filling the right-back berth.

"We had to readjust a bit after Matty's injury. He had a bit of a calf during the week and it was touch-and-go whether he would make the game but he gave it a go. That's the sort of player he is and the way he has played for us."

With former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce now in charge at Blackburn, Tomkins is expecting a physical battle against a Rovers outfit who go into the weekend just a point above the relegation zone.

"Blackburn are down there but every game is going to be a hard one and we're taking nothing for granted. It will be a tough game, especially up there, and we're going to have to be at it if we're going to get a positive result."

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Leeds board the gravy train
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has confirmed that they will be the next club to attempt to claim compensation from West Ham United in the wake of the Carlos Tevez affair. The League One club - who left hundreds of local businesses out of pocket to the tune of £35million when administrators seized control of the club in 2007, before selling it straight back to owner Bates - have confirmed this lunchtime that they will be seeking damages in respect of 'contingency payments'.
Leeds claim via their website that they 'missed out on payments in relation to Premiership survival for the transfers of Rob Hulse, Matthew Kilgallon, and Ian Bennett' - whilst Bates, speaking on Yorkshire Radio this morning added: "We sold a number of players to Sheffield United with contingencies. When they got relegated on the last day of the season we missed out on a substantial sum. That's what we lost and if they are being compensated for their loss we believe we should be compensated for our loss.
"There are other clubs in the same boat who have similar claims. Ours is the biggest claim and it would be nice to collect that and strengthen our squad. We are currently taking advice on it and won't be commenting further at this time."
Leeds, Yorkshire neighbours of Sheffield United were in the Premier League as recently as 2004 but ended up in the third tier of English football after being relegated from the Championship in the same year as the Blades lost their Premier League status. Once it became clear that they were going to be relegated from the Championship the club applied for administration, an event that cost them ten points and relegation but also millions of pounds in lost revenue for all the clubs and organisations associated with the club - including the local St Johns Ambulance who were left £165 out of pocket.

* Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has this morning ruled his club out of making any compensation claims in regard to the Tevez case. When asked whether he would be following up an earlier comment in which he suggested that other clubs whose Premiership prize money may have been affected by West Ham United's final placing in the 2006/07 season and may therefore have reason to claim compensation, Gartside replied that his statement had been 'tongue in cheek' - and that Bolton had no interest in 'pursuing the matter'.

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Ponces out in force
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Neil Warnock and some of his former charges are once again threatening to sue West Ham United. Warnock, the former manager of Sheffield United who engineered their relegation from the Premier League in 2006/07 (before blaming everyone else for it) had previously threatened to sue the Hammers for his own ineptness, which included resting key players for vital games in Sheffield United's run-in that season. Talking to today's Daily Mail, Warnock reiterated his desire to sue for compensation in the wake of West Ham United's out-of-court settlement with his former employers. I'll be looking into this now," he said. "I just wanted to see the club's case out of the way first.
"It justifies what we've said all along. We've had a lot of people criticise us for taking it this far - but that's what justice is all about. "As far as I'm concerned, I should still be a Premier League manager. And I think the players have a case, too."
Meanwhile the lawyer representing both former and current Sheffield United players says that his clients will now press ahead with their own compensation claims.
Chris Farnell told the Times: "We understand, but have not been informed officially, that the club's dispute with West Ham has been settled. "However, the players' claim will continue independently. We have made correspondence with West Ham's lawyers as recently as the end of last week."

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Zola: Upson ok
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Gianfranco Zola says he expects Matthew Upson to be playing again sooner rather than later. The England centre half, playing in front of national team boss Fabio Capello was forced off with a calf strain just 29 minutes into last night's drab 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion. However initial reports suggest that the England international will recover in time to feature for the national team when they take on Slovakia at Wembley 11 days from now - although he remains a daoubt for this weekend's trip to Blackburn. "Matthew shouldn't be too bad," said Zola. "He had a problem with his calf before he went on the pitch, but it's nothing major." Zola is already without James Collins, Valon Behrami, Jack Collison, Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer, Dean Ashton (all injured) and Carlton Cole (suspended) ahead of this Saturday's visit to Ewood Park.

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Out of order, my sson
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

West Bromwich Albion's Jonas Olsson could face disciplinary action for a challenge on Rob Green that could have left the goalkeeper blinded. Olsson recklessly elbowed the United keeper in the face during a West Brom set piece in last night's goalless draw at the Boleyn, although escaped unpunished as the incident was not seen by referee Mark Halsey. However the FA will study video footage of the incident if Halsey admits in his match report that he missed the incident, which appears to show Olsson deliberately elbowing Green as the England keeper rises to take the cross. Green, who received treatment for three minutes following the challenge admitted that he was lucky to escape without serious damage. "Luckily it was on a sturdy part of my face rather than an eye socket or my nose," he said after the game. "That could have done me some proper damage but I'll live to fight another day."
Olsson did however receive the support fo manager Tony Mowbray, who added: "I didn't see him do anything. But Olsson would never do anything like that on purpose. He is a gentleman."

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Blackwell looking forward to signing Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 17th March 2009
By: Staff Writer

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell says that he will be casting an eye over some unnamed West Ham players following the resolution of the Carlos Tevez affair.
Blackwell, whose Sheffield side are currently fourth in the Championship with eight games of the season to play made the comment in an interview with Sky Sports this morning when questioned about possible loans deals ahead of the Football League's approaching loan deadline. "The important thing is that the relationship between Sheffield United and West Ham United wasn't soured," he said. "I think it's been finished very well, we're delighted, we've got a lot of respect for West Ham and we can move forward together and hopefully do some business later on. "I'm sure Gianfranco won't want me to say I want players but it means I can go to West Ham now obviously and look to take a loan player. It's not been something I felt I could do until this situation was sorted, so at least there's another club I can borrow someone off.
"I'm just glad that the Tevez affair is finished. I don't think it's been very good for football and I know it's a situation that's hung over both West Ham and Sheffield United - and we're glad it's put to bed. "I'm sure the chairman will give me a ring at some point and discuss how much we've got to spend next season."

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PFA Chief Gordon Taylor Speaks Out Over The Carlos Tevez Affair
The chief executive of the Professional Football Association believes some Sheffield United players have a right to claim some of the money received by the club from the West Ham compensation package...
17 Mar 2009 15:13:01
Goal.com

West Ham United and Sheffield United reached an out-of-court settlement - believed to involve a weighty figure between £15 million and £25m - over the Hammers' fielding of a player owned by a third party. However, the dispute forever rages on. Then-manager Neil Warnock has threatened to sue to London club while PFA (Professional Football Association) chief executive Gordon Taylor's has declared that members of Sheffield United's team at the time deserve a portion of the financial package received by the Yorkshire outfit. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Taylor today said, "It [the compensation package] was a sensible outcome, but it has been going on for some time.
"I'm quite concerned it will drag on. We've informed the Football League and the FA. From Sheffield United's point-of-view, there are players who have lost a considerable sum of money. The claims of the players should have been included in that compensation payment. "They've already got a lawyer and legal case and they are liaising with us. These days, in Premier League players' contracts, there are clauses written in contracts where wages are appropriately reduced when clubs are relegated. "Neil Warnock, too, feels particularly aggrieved as he lost his job due to the events that happened. "The losses to the players are being quantified as being between £1m-2m. We've raised it with Sheffield United and they said they were advised not to include players' sums, which is strange because a case could now rise where players take on a case against their club, or former club. "The players have a right to claim against the club for a right of the share that was received."
Regarding the fairness of the amount of the financial package that will exchange hands over a projected five-year period, Taylor said, "The very fact that there is a judge and arbitration shows that West Ham did indeed breach the rules, and as such are accountable." Taylor went on to offer his thoughts on the current trend of booing players in the Premier League when results, or performances, are going in favour of their rivals. "The PFA is a trade union and as such you have to talk about trade and equality," he explained. "There is a difference between booing a villain at a pantomime and booing a player. "We've had a lid on hooliganism and do not want to go back to the days of the '80s and if we are not careful these things can rise to the fore once more. We have to work hard with the FA, Premier League, the clubs, police and stewards. "Yes, there are big inter city rivalries but some things aimed at players are just not acceptable. The police and the courts need to act."
Gordon Taylor is accredited with being the most highly-paid chief executive of any trade union official in the world.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

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Olsson cleared by Halsey
Referee review ensures Baggies defender will not be punished
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

West Brom defender Jonas Olsson has escaped FA punishment for his clash with Robert Green on Monday. The Baggies centre-half caught the Hammers keeper with a flailing arm during a lacklustre goalless draw at Upton Park. The incident went unpunished by match referee Mark Halsey, but left Green requiring lengthy treatment.
The England international bit a small part of his tongue off as a result of the collision, but soldiered on to the end of the game. Halsey has since viewed the incident again and, despite Hammers protests, is standing by his initial decision, claiming the clash was not worthy of a red card. The Baggies will be delighted at that verdict, but disappointed they did not benefit fully from the coming together. As Green hit the turf, Shelton Martis looked to have forced a breakthrough, only to see a looping header crash back off the crossbar. The Dutchman was making his first Premier League start and admits he is hoping to enjoy better fortune in the Baggies' battle against the drop.
"I hope so, hopefully we can go and win against Bolton (on Saturday) and push on from there really and just gather more points," he said.

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Warnock - No vendetta
Former Blades boss still bitter about relegation
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

Neil Warnock has admitted he is still bitter about Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League as he considers legal action against West Ham. The Blades dropped out of the top flight in 2007 as a Carlos Tevez-inspired West Ham stayed up at their expense on the final day of the season. The Hammers were fined after breaking rules regarding third-party ownership but they were not deducted points and Sheffield United have been seeking compensation for almost two years. A settlement between the clubs was finally reached on Monday but Warnock, manager of the Blades at the time, is still furious with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and is thinking about launching a personal claim. He told Sky Sports News: "I am pleased it's finalised because we knew all along we were in the right. There should have been action sooner but at least now it can be put to bed between the two clubs. "If it had been a bigger club it would have been dealt with at the time and it wouldn't have been brushed under the carpet. I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore and the Premier League because it was my dream job as well. "I wanted to get this out of the way first and then I would look at it. I will be taking legal advice myself. "I just feel very bitter than I am not a Premier league manager still. If you only knew how much hard work it was in the seven years to get the team up to the Premier League, it was a bitter disappointment knowing Tevez shouldn't have been in the team the last few weeks."
Warnock has been criticised for pursuing the matter but he insists he has been motivated by a desire to see justice done rather than a private vendetta against the Hammers. Asked if he had a vendetta, Warnock said: "Not really, no. I would love to manage them. "You are going to get stick and we have been slaughtered in the London press, especially. "But justice in England is the major thing and it would have been easy to brush Sheffield United aside. "We have wanted the truth to come out all the way along the line. When wrongs have been done against you, you fight for your cause."
Warnock believes Sheffield United would have improved if they had avoided relegation in 2007 and would still be in the Premier League. He explained: "I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premier League status. "I think we could have been an established Premier League side and we had high hopes of taking the club forward, spending money in our first summer to keep us up. "Even West Ham fans know, if you ask them why they stayed up, there is only one word and that is Tevez."

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Upson adds to Zola's woes
Defender suffers calf injury against Baggies
Last updated: 17th March 2009
SSN

West Ham's injury problems show no sign of abating, with Matthew Upson the latest to be crocked. The centre-half lasted less than half-an-hour of the Hammers' goalless draw with West Brom on Monday before being forced from the field. Having tweaked a calf muscle, the 29-year-old had to be removed from the action on a stretcher. While the problem is not believed to be too serious, it will keep him sidelined at a crucial stage of West Ham's season. It will also put a dent in his international ambitions, with England's forthcoming fixtures against Slovakia and Ukraine likely to come too soon. The injury comes a blow to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola as well, as the Italian has already seen his squad blighted by problems this season. However, for all his troubles, the Upton Park outfit remain in the hunt for a European spot in the Premier League.
Monday's stalemate with the Baggies helped to cement their standing in seventh place and Zola admits he was pleased to take a point from a disjointed contest. He said: "I think this was a good point for us because of all the problems we had and a good performance from West Brom. I consider it a good point." The Hammers were booed off at the end by some of their own supporters, but Zola believes the majority of fans remain fully behind the team. "The fans are vital all the time, so the players feel their backing," he said. "They can give something extra, but the fans are okay. But we have to help them to be behind us. We will try harder next time."

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Green thankful for lucky escape
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 17 March 2009 - 11:57 AM

Robert Green reckons he was lucky to escape serious injury after being elbowed in the face by West Brom's Jonas Olsson.The West Ham keeper was sent flying to the deck by the giant centre-half and thinks he may have even managed to bite part of his tongue off during the incident."Looking at the replays on TV, he caught me with a good one," said Green. "Luckily, it was on the sturdy part of my face, rather than the eye socket or my nose. "That could have done some proper damage, but I'll live to fight another day."
But former Premier League referee Graham Poll reckons Olsson should have seen red for the challenge having watched the incident again. He told Setanta Sports: "Olsson comes in with his arm. He is looking, knows where Green is and catches him across the chin. If seen, it is a red card offence. I think it was deliberate." Baggies boss Tony Mowbray was quick to disagree, insisting the Swedish defender did not set out to injure a groggy Green. "I don't know why he went down," said Mowbray. "Olsson would be the least person to do anything on purpose. He's absolute gentleman and wouldn't do anything like that."

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Zola puts his contact book to good use
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 17 March 2009 - 14:44

Gianfranco Zola is hoping his status in Italy might hold some sway as West Ham United attempt to lure another Serie A based star to London's East End. The Hammers boss is reportedly battling several other European sides for the signature of Siena's Columbian full-back Juan Camillo Zuniga. Zuniga, who moved from homeland side Atletico Nacional last summer, has impressed despite Siena's overall poor form and has been linked with AC Milan, Fiorentina, Palermo, Sevilla and Schalke in recent months. The 23-year-old looks set to be the subject of a bidding war come the end of the season with his value rocketing to around €8m. Speaking to assembled press this week, Zuniga admitted,"It is nice to see in the newspapers my name linked to the big clubs in Italy and abroad."

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Neil Warnock: Blades may have settled but now I will take legal advice
Independent.co.uk
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
It was a bittersweet moment when my old chairman at Sheffield United, Kevin McCabe, told me the club had agreed a deal with West Ham United for compensation over the Tevez scandal. I felt fully vindicated. I was just very disappointed I have relegation on my CV when it should not be there. We worked our butts off to get Sheffield United into the Premier League and I was convinced we would stay. This is final confirmation that we would have but for illegal means. On a level playing field we would have stayed up. Am I bitter? What do you think? These should have been the best years of my life. There is no way I would have left the club if we had stayed up. It was my dream job, my hometown club, a club I supported, and I was managing them in the best league in the world. It's an ill wind, as they say, and I'm enjoying the challenge of managing Crystal Palace and the experience of living in London, but that feeling can never be replicated whatever else I achieve in the game. Personally, I feel I suffered more than anybody, and not just financially.
I am bitter that Richard Scudamore, who as chief executive is the overseer of the Premier League, can remain in his job. It was obvious from the word go that the Premier League just wanted to brush it under the carpet with an attitude of "it's only Sheffield United". That is a disgrace. So, I'm feeling a mixture of emotions right now. One thing I do know, now the case between the clubs has been settled, I'll be taking legal advice myself.

Neil Warnock is the former manager of Sheffield United

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Sheffield United players could sue West Ham United
The Times
Gary Jacob

Hopes that the Carlos Tévez affair had reached a conclusion were dashed last night when Sheffield United's players said that they are threatening legal action against West Ham United for loss of wages and bonuses.

In an unprecedented move in the English game, about 20 of the squad who played for the Yorkshire club at the time of their relegation two years ago are seeking compensation of between £4 million and £5 million in total. The move comes after West Ham agreed to pay about £25 million in compensation to Sheffield United in an out-of-court settlement to end the wrangle over the eligibility of the Argentina forward to play for the East London club during the 2006-07 season. West Ham were fined £5.5 million in April 2007 for breach of league rules over the Tévez transfer but escaped any points deduction.

But the dispute could escalate farther. Wigan Athletic and Fulham have pledged to continue their fight for compensation after missing out on prize money that they would have received had West Ham finished below them. Neil Warnock, who was manager of Sheffield United at the time, has sought legal advice about a claim. He maintains that he would still be at the club had they not been relegated. Instead, he resigned and has subsequently taken charge of Crystal Palace.

"Sheffield United players are quite right [to take legal action]," Warnock said. "No one has suffered more than me. I'm absolutely delighted with the outcome. For personal reasons, I'm disappointed that this was not sorted out sooner. We deserved to stay up and if everyone had played by the same rules, we would have done."

West Ham said yesterday that they have not received a claim from the players, but they are confident of fighting off any actions. The renewed uncertainty will have an impact on potential buyers for West Ham, who are £47 million in debt, because of concerns about the unknown liabilities.

Phil Jagielka and Matthew Kilgallon are believed to be among the players to have contacted Chris Farnell, a lawyer from IPS Law in Manchester, which has taken up the case. "We understand, but have not been informed officially, that the club's dispute with West Ham has been settled," Farnell said. "However, the players' claim will continue. We have made correspondence with West Ham's lawyers as recently as the end of last week."

Jagielka, for example, might have suffered no loss in wages because he moved to Everton soon after relegation, but the England defender would expect to have been paid a bonus for helping Sheffield United to stay up. A Barclays Premier League player could expect a bonus of about £100,000 to £150,000 for helping his team to avoid relegation. Kilgallon, in contrast, remained at the club and would probably have had his wage cut by half — the rule of thumb for many contracts. Players in the top flight usually earn in excess of £20,000 a week whereas they might expect up to £12,000 a week in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The dispute could take a further twist depending on the outcome of an investigation into West Ham by the Football Association and Premier League. The governing bodies are considering whether the club breached rules in assurances made to ensure that Tévez could play in the final three matches of the 2006-07 season.

Any thoughts that this will be dropped after the settlement between West Ham and Sheffield United have been ruled out by Wigan and Fulham. Wigan are expected to raise the matter at the Premier League's quarterly meeting in three weeks' time.

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Report: West Ham United Face Battle For Signature Of Siena's Juan Zuniga
The Hammers target is also wanted by a host of Italian clubs as well as Sevilla and Schalke...
17 Mar 2009 13:33:56
Goal.com

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mail, Premier League club West Ham United may miss out on transfer target Juan Camilo Zuniga at the end of the season. The 23-year-old right-back has impressed since signing for Serie A strugglers Siena from Colombian team Atletico Nacional last summer. Apparently, the Colombian international, who has won three caps to date, is being tracked by Italian sides Milan, Fiorentina and Palermo as well as Primera Division outfit Sevilla. However, it is claimed that the interest of Bundesliga club Schalke are pricing the Hammers out of a move for the pacy 5ft 7in full-back as they are prepared to offer up to €8 million (£7.5m) with their Brazilian right-back Rafinha likely to leave for Juventus or Bayern Munich. "It is nice to see in the newspapers my name linked to the big clubs in Italy and abroad," Zuniga is quoted as saying.

Ricky Brooks, Goal.com

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West Ham ready to fight Warnock in Tevez affair
Ken Dyer and Ben Hunt
17.03.09
Evening Standard

West Ham will vigorously defend any legal action taken by Neil Warnock over the Carlos Tevez affair. The former Sheffield United boss confirmed today that he is considering launching a private claim for compensation against the Hammers. Warnock, now in charge at Crystal Palace, believes that the out-of-court settlement reached between West Ham and the Blades yesterday allows him to launch his own action. The 60-year-old feels he would still be managing in the Premier League if it had not been for the part Tevez played in keeping West Ham in the top flight in 2007. It is also understood that some former Sheffield United players are considering suing for lost bonuses but Hammers officials are confident that they can rebuff any action because they believe the original independent FA arbitration panel ruling against West Ham last year did not allow for any individual claims. Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who was at last night's goalless draw with West Brom, had hoped the £15million out-of-court settlement would bring the saga to an end. But Warnock, a life-long Blades fan, will not let the matter drop. The current Palace boss said: "People have been criticised for taking it this far but all the while we were in the right. "There should have been action taken sooner but at least now there is an agreement between the two clubs. "You cannot put right the disappointment. I just think if it was a bigger club, it would have been dealt with at the time."
Warnock also renewed his attack on Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore today, calling for him to be sacked over his role in the affair. "I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore at the Premier League because Sheffield United was my dream job," Warnock told Sky Sports News. "I find it amazing that Richard Scudamore is still in a job at the Premier League. I just find it amazing. "I think all along if the facts were known it would have been dealt with sooner. It's nice to be able to justify it now the facts have been made."

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Neil Warnock considering legal action against West Ham United
The Times
Nick Szczepanik

Neil Warnock is pleased that Sheffield United have won compensation from West Ham United over their relegation from the Premier League in 2007, but is still contemplating legal action on his own account.

Warnock, now in charge of Crystal Palace, was Sheffield United manager when they went down. West Ham stayed up, thanks largely to the goals of Carlos Tevez, who was playing despite a breach of rules on third-party ownership, but although the London club were fined, they did not suffer a points deduction that could have relegated them and kept Sheffield United up.

The two clubs finally agreed compensation estimated at £15 million on Monday, but Warnock may still take matters farther. "I am pleased it's finalised because we knew all along we were in the right," Warnock said. "There should have been action sooner but at least now it can be put to bed between the two clubs.

"If it had been a bigger club it would have been dealt with at the time and it wouldn't have been brushed under the carpet. I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore [the Premier League chief executive] and the Premier League because it was my dream job as well. I wanted to get this out of the way first and then I would look at it. I will be taking legal advice myself."

Warnock, a lifelong Sheffield United supporter, had realised a long-held ambition in taking the club up in 2006, but left the club shortly after their relegation in May 2007. His team had lost 2-1 at home to Wigan Athletic on the final day of the season while West Ham secured an improbable 1-0 victory away to Manchester United – Tevez scoring the last of his seven goals for the club, which had been worth a total of six points. West Ham finished three points ahead of Sheffield United, with an inferior goal difference.

"I just feel very bitter than I am not a Premier league manager still," Warnock said. "If you only knew how much hard work it was in the seven years to get the team up to the Premier League, it was a bitter disappointment knowing Tevez shouldn't have been in the team the last few weeks.

"You are going to get stick and we have been slaughtered in the London press, especially. But justice in England is the major thing and it would have been easy to brush Sheffield United aside. We have wanted the truth to come out all the way along the line. When wrongs have been done against you, you fight for your cause.

"I don't think anything can compensate you for losing your Premier League status. I think we could have been an established Premier League side and we had high hopes of taking the club forward, spending money in our first summer to keep us up. Even West Ham fans know; if you ask them why they stayed up, there is only one word - and that is 'Tevez'."

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London Football: Palace boss Neil Warnock may sue West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Londonpaper.com

NEIL WARNOCK has launched an attack on Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and is considering legal action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair. The Hammers confirmed they had agreed a settlement – believed to be around £15m – with relegated Sheffield United after breaking rules over the signing of the striker. The Premier League failed to dock West Ham points which would have kept the Blades in the top flight. And former Sheffield boss Warnock has declared war on both the Premier League and the Hammers. He said: "I think Scudamore is an absolute disgrace. I'd love to get him in a room on my own for an hour, no holds barred. I find it amazing that he has kept his job." Warnock resigned at Bramall Lane after relegation two years ago. He has now threatened to sue West Ham for loss of earnings – and warned that his former players could do the same. He said: "I'll be looking into this now. I just wanted to see the club's case out of the way first. "I should still be a Premier League manager. And I think the players have a case too."

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TEAMtalk Tirade: Get a grip, Warnock
teamTalk

TEAMtalk editor Simon Wilkes feels Neil Warnock needs to take a reality check after claiming he 'should still be a Premier League manager'. When Monday's story broke about West Ham and Sheffield finally agreeing an out-of-court settlement over the Carlos Tevez affair, there was a collective sigh of relief - not only here at TEAMtalk Towers but around the country. That welcome feeling of closure didn't last long though. The saga had rumbled on since the end of the 2006-07 season, which saw the Blades lose their Premier League status after a shocking end to their campaign tallied with a West Ham resurgence sparked in the main by Tevez. According to reports, United have been compensated to the tune of £15million, with another £10million on the way in future years. Add that to the £5.5million fine handed out to the Irons, and it's fair to say the EastEnders have paid the price for the soap drama surrounding how they brought Argentinian pair Tevez and Javier Mascherano to Upton Park. But no, Neil Warnock has decided to hog the headlines once again and says he is now considering suing the Hammers, under the claim that he "should still be a Premier League manager". Well hang on a minute, mate, you were a top-flight gaffer in 2007 and didn't cut the mustard over the entire season, took the Blades down and then walked away from the club. At one point in the 2006-07 season, the Hammers were 10 points from safety and things were looking bleak for them when a 4-0 hammering by Charlton was swiftly followed by a heartbreaking 4-3 home defeat to Spurs. A mini West Ham revival, which saw them win three on the spin against Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Arsenal, came to a shuddering halt at Bramall Lane, where Warnock's Blades cut the visitors to shreds in a 3-0 victory. That should've been job done for the Steel City outfit, but just four points were picked up from the final five games of the season, compared to West Ham's impressive haul of 12 points from 15 available.
Tevez played a starring role in two of four consecutive wins but it was by no means a one-man show, and the Hammers were only given a glimmer of hope by United's dismal slump in form.
Warnock not only believes he is entitled to compensation, but also argues that his players have a case as well. The fact of the matter is that if they'd been good enough to stay in the Premier League, they would've done so no matter what West Ham did. They were in a strong position to survive and choked when it really mattered, winning just two of their last 11 games and losing seven. So please let it go Mr Warnock, as Crystal Palace's mid-table obscurity in the Championship suggests you should not be a Premier League manager.

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Olsson in the clear over Green clash
Ananova.co.uk

West Brom centre-back Jonas Olsson has escaped Football Association punishment following a clash which left West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green requiring smelling salts.
Green was caught by Olsson's elbow during Monday night's stalemate at Upton Park but referee Mark Halsey looked at the incident again and told the FA he would not have given a red card. Hammers goalkeeper Green needed lengthy treatment and bit a small part of his tongue off after attempting to claim a cross which was headed against the crossbar by Shelton Martis.

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