Leyton Orient 1 West Ham United 1
Pre-Season 24th July 2007 Kick-off: 19:45
Venue: Brisbane Road
Minute by minute:
10 - Cole fires a blistering shot just inches over the bar from 12 yards
out.
15 - GOAL! The moment Hammers fans have been waiting for, as Ashton picks up
the ball 30 yards out before sending a fierce, swerving, unstoppable shot
beyond the stranded Morris for his first goal in a Hammers shirt for almost
a year. Leyton Orient 0 West Ham United 1.
18 - Boyd fires narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.
19 - An excellent cross from McCartney is missed by Cole but falls to Reid,
who fires his effort high over the bar.
20 - GOAL. Orient reply with a stunning goal of their own to equalise, as
Boyd sends a 25-yard dipping volley over the head of Green. Leyton Orient 1
West Ham United 1.
28 - Orient keeper Morris suffers a head injury in an aerial collision and
is replaced by substitute Nelson.
41 - Green rushes out bravely to deny Gray from close range.
Half-time: Leyton Orient 1 West Ham United 1.
46 - Leyton Orient substitutes: Saah on for Thelwell, Thornton on for Terry,
Demetriou on for Melligan.
50 - Davenport's looping header from 12 yards out is tipped over by Nelson.
51 - From the resulting corner, Ferdinand's header is this time held by the
Orient keeper.
58 - Reid cuts in from the right and fires a fierce shot just over the bar.
64 - Leyton Orient substitute: Echanomi on for Boyd.
70 - West Ham United substitute: Stokes on for Reid.
72 - Etherington escapes on the left and cuts the ball back for Ashton, who
somehow heads over the bar from just four yards out.
74 - This time Etherington crosses for Bowyer, whose diving header is kept
out by Nelson.
78 - Leyton Orient substitute: B Gray on for W Gray.
82 - Leyton Orient substitute: Page on for Corden.
84 - A neat move leads to Bowyer breaking free in the box, but his delicate
chip is gathered by Nelson.
86 - Leyton Orient substitute: Kemp on for Palmer.
90 - Leyton Orient substitute: Grange on for Chambers.
90 - Ashton sends a looping left-foot shot just wide of the target.
Full-time: Leyton Orient 1 West Ham United 1.
Leyton Orient: Morris (Nelson 28), Purches, Palmer (Kemp 86), Thelwell (Saah
46), Mkandawire, Terry (Thornton 46), Melligan (Demetriou 46), Chambers
(Grange 90), W Gray (B Gray 78), Boyd (Echanomi 64), Corden (Page 82).
West Ham United: Green; Pantsil, Davenport, Ferdinand, McCartney; Reid
(Stokes 70), Bowyer, Mullins, Etherington; Ashton, Cole. Subs unused: Stech,
Fitzgerald, Ephraim, Widdowson, Hales, Jeffery, Collison, Dailly.
Referee: Ray Lee (Essex)
Att: 8,231
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham United FC Official Statement - WHUFC
24/07/2007 19:51
Official Club Statement
West Ham United is led to believe that MSI and Just Sports Inc. have issued
a writ against the Club this evening, although we are yet to receive this
officially.
We will liaise with our lawyers and a further statement will be made when
appropriate.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton confidence boosted by goal - BBC
Dean Ashton scored his first goal for West Ham in almost a year as Alan
Curbishley's side drew 1-1 in a friendly with Leyton Orient. Ashton joined
West Ham in January 2006 for £7.25m from Norwich but made only nine starts
before he broke his ankle while training with England. The England striker
hit a swerving 30-yard shot past Orient keeper Glenn Morris after 15
minutes. Five minutes later Adam Boyd equalised with a similarly stunning
effort. Ashton suffered his injury during his first call-up to the England
squad last year.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez dispute reaches High Court - BBC
Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian has begun legal proceedings
against West Ham over the striker's proposed move to Manchester United.
Lawyers acting for Joorabchian's companies MSI and Just Sports Inc have
issued West Ham with a High Court writ. The companies and Joorabchian claim
they own the economic rights to the 23-year-old Argentine - but that is
disputed by West Ham. Tevez's move to United has stalled over who will be
paid the £30m transfer fee. "I can confirm the companies have begun High
Court proceedings against West Ham," said Teacher Stern Selby solicitor
Graham Shear, the law firm representing MSI and Just Sports Inc. The
statement continued: "A High Court writ was served on the football club's
solicitors. "The Companies seek the court's intervention to compel West Ham
to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts
entered into between the parties. "We are asking the court to intervene so
that Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as
possible. "We will be making no further statement at this time." West Ham
said they would be consulting their lawyers over the writ.
Third-party ownership of football players is common in South America but was
almost unheard of in England until Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier
Mascherano joined West Ham. Mascherano has since moved to Liverpool.
Earlier, Fifa had recommended the Tevez dispute should go to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport. The Football Association and the Premier League had
asked Fifa to rule on the matter. But a Fifa statement read: "Fifa has
recommended that West Ham and Carlos Tevez seek arbitration at CAS. "Under
the present circumstances this was deemed to be the best approach and in the
interest of all parties. "What is more, we also believe this to be the
fastest way to solve this impasse." Tevez is registered as a West Ham
player, but Joorabchian claims he still owns the striker's economic rights
and is therefore entitled to the transfer fee. However, West Ham ripped up
an agreement they had with Joorabchian - which broke Premier League rules -
and they now claim any deal with United can only go ahead with their say-so.
The Premier League, which is also insisting that any fee must go to West
Ham, met Fifa and the Football Association on Monday to discuss the issue.
The Premier League welcomed Fifa's decision. "We are supportive of the
recommendation that if all parties are in agreement the matter should be
referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," said a Premier League
spokesman. West Ham also said they were happy for CAS to rule on the issue.
"We're happy for the matter to go to CAS if it is with the agreement of all
parties," a West Ham statement said. West Ham were fined £5.5m pounds in
April for breaking Premier League rules which outlaw third-party ownership
when they signed Tevez last August. They were allowed to continue playing
him after satisfying the Premier League that the third-party agreement with
Joorabchian had been torn up.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It's Off To Court We Go... - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 24th July 2007
By: Gordon Thrower
The Tevez saga took another couple of twists today.
Firstly FIFA declined to rule on the matter, which was referred to them last
week, recommending instead that the matter be settled with reference to the
Court Of Abritration For Sport. United indicated that they would be happy to
take the matter to the Lausanne-based tribunal.
However a trip to Switzerland appeared to be off the agenda later this
afternoon when MSI & Just Sports Inc announced that they had issued a High
Court Writ on the club demanding that the player be released in accordance
with the contract from which United withdrew following consultation with the
Premier League after the Independent Commission decision in April of this
year.
The Independent Commission had commented as part of its decision that the
contract allowing MSI to move Tevez on without the permission of either the
player or West Ham was possibly "unenforceable", an opinion that now seems
likely to be fully tested in the UK courts.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbs wants end to Tevez saga - Sky
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 24 Jul 2007
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley admits he is desperate to see the Carlos Tevez
situation resolved. The Tevez case took a couple of fresh twists on Tuesday
when Fifa recommended that the Court of Arbitration for Sports should
arbitrate on the issue rather than them, before MSI issued a High Court writ
against West Ham over the player's proposed move to Manchester United.
Curbishley, who saw his side claim a 1-1 pre-season draw at Leyton Orient,
just wants the Tevez saga to come to a close. "Everyday seems to be a Tevez
day and it is just as if we can't get out the headlines, it will get
resolved I'am sure one way or another," he told Sky Sports News. "It needed
sorting a long time ago, but obviously it wasn't and still hasn't but it has
to come to conclusion at some point."
Curbishley refused to rule out of the possibility of Tevez returning to The
Hammers fold, but he said the situation needed to be resolved first. "He is
still our player, but we will have to wait to see what the conclusion is,"
he added. On the transfer front, Curbishley says he is still looking at
making further plunges into the transfer market - despite the recent arrival
of Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal. "Yeah I would [make more signings], I
think most clubs are [looking]," Curbishley continued. "If you look at what
we have done, we have replaced some people and I have been at pains to tell
people we have probably took as much in as we have spent. "I am a bit skinny
in certain areas, and I was interested in Freddie before Julien [Faubert]
got injured and the same thing if Freddie gets injured now."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
MSI take Hammers to High Court - Sky
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 24 Jul 2007
Media Sports Investments, the company who claim to own Carlos Tevez's
economic rights, have issued a High Court writ against West Ham United. MSI
are trying to broker Tevez's proposed move to Manchester United, but the
Premier League have insisted that West Ham must receive any transfer fee.
The Hammers insist they still own Tevez's registration and that has led to
the latest action from the player's representative Kia Joorabchian.
Solicitor Graham Shear of lawyers Teacher Stern Selby confirmed in a
statement that Joorabchian's companies MSI and Just Sports had launched a
case against The Hammers.
"I can confirm the companies (MSI and Just Sports Inc) have begun High Court
proceedings against West Ham," said Shear. "This afternoon [Tuesday] a High
Court writ was served on the football club's solicitors. "The companies seek
the court's intervention to compel West Ham to release the registration of
Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.
"We are asking the court to intervene so that Carlos Tevez can be registered
to play with Manchester United as soon as possible."
The whole Tevez saga was taken to Fifa last week and they ruled on Tuesday
that the case would be best heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. MSI
are desperate for the case to be resolved as soon as possible and they feel
High Court action is the best avenue for them to take. In response West Ham
issued a statement, saying: "West Ham United is led to believe that MSI and
Just Sports Inc. have issued a writ against the club this evening, although
we are yet to receive this officially. "We will liaise with our lawyers and
a further statement will be made when appropriate."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Friendlies Round-Up - Sky
By Graeme Bailey - Created on 24 Jul 2007
Dean Ashton scored his first goal in almost 12 months as West Ham drew with
Leyton Orient. Ashton missed the whole of last season through injury, but he
showed The Hammers fans just what they had been missing when he fired home a
great strike from 30 yards. Orient levelled not long after when new signing
Adam Boyd introduced himself in fine style with a smart 25-yard volley.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joorabchian issues Hammers High Court writ - Soccernet
Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian is taking his fight with West
Ham to the High Court. A writ was served this afternoon on the club's
solicitors by lawyers acting on behalf of Joorabchian's companies MSI and
Just Sports Inc. Joorabchian has called for the court to intervene to enable
Argentinian striker Tevez, 23, to play for Manchester United. Joorabchian
has decided to take this course of action despite FIFA recommending the
dispute be settled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Solicitor Graham
Shear of lawyers Teacher Stern Selby said in a statement: 'I can confirm the
companies (MSI and Just Sports Inc) have today begun High Court proceedings
against West Ham. 'This afternoon a High Court writ was served on the
football club's solicitors. 'The companies seek the court's intervention to
compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance
with contracts entered into between the parties. 'We are asking the court to
intervene so that Carlos Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester
United as soon as possible.' Shear added: 'We will be making no further
statement at this time.'
West Ham released the following statement in response to the High Court
writ. 'West Ham United is led to believe that MSI and Just Sports Inc. have
issued a writ against the club this evening, although we are yet to receive
this officially. 'We will liaise with our lawyers and a further statement
will be made when appropriate.'
Tevez is registered as West Ham's player but Joorabchian claims he owns the
player's economic rights and is therefore entitled to any transfer fee,
which is at odds with the Premier League's stance. The League want West Ham
to receive any fee for Tevez.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Returning Ashton scores in Hammers friendly - Soccernet
Dean Ashton scored his first goal for West Ham in almost a year as the
Hammers claimed a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient at
Brisbane Road. The England striker hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards
after quarter-of-an-hour, which swerved past Glenn Morris in goal and
followed Carlton Cole's blistering 12-yard shot which went just over. Adam
Boyd then fired narrowly wide for the Coca-Cola League One club, before
scoring a stunning equaliser after 20 minutes. The 25-year-old, a new
signing from Luton, sent a 25-yard volley dipping over England goalkeeper
Robert Green to mark his debut for the east London club in style. Orient
goalkeeper Morris was taken off after suffering a head injury in an aerial
collision. Kyel Reid then sent a fierce shot over the bar for the visitors,
before Ashton failed to claim his second of the game when he contrived to
miss a glaring opportunity when he headed over from four yards following
Matthew Etherington's cut-back. Etherington then provided a cross for Lee
Bowyer, whose header was kept out by substitute goalkeeper Stuart Nelson -
before Ashton's left-footed shot went just wide of the goal in the final
minute.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carlos Tevez writ served on West Ham - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 2:46am BST 25/07/2007
Carlos Tevez's £30 million transfer to Manchester United will be settled in
the High Court after the player's owners last night sued West Ham for
terminating the third party agreements which they say control his economic
rights.
After almost three months of wrangling over who owns the Argentine striker,
the player's agent and part owner, Kia Joorabchian, has issued the writ in
an effort to end the stalemate. The move came hours after football's world
governing body, Fifa, referred the protracted saga to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport for a definitive ruling.
But, while West Ham and the Premier League welcomed Fifa's decision,
Joorabchian and the two offshore companies who control the player, Media
Sports Investments and Just Sport Inc, rejected the recommendation.
With CAS unable to make a ruling until the end of August, a spokesman for
Joorabchian said they were reluctantly going to the High Court in the hope
of reaching a more speedy conclusion.
A statement released by Joorabchian's lawyer, Graham Shear, said: "I can
confirm that the companies have started High Court proceedings against West
Ham. This afternoon a High Court writ was served on the football club's
solicitors.
"The companies seek the court's intervention to compel West Ham to release
the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into
between the parties. We are asking the court to intervene so that Carlos
Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible."
Having agreed a two-year loan deal for Tevez with Joorabchian, with the
option for a further three years, United have looked on helplessly as the
row over who owns the player has escalated. West Ham claim they own his
registration and have a three-year playing contract with Tevez, 23.
A spokesman said: "West Ham United is led to believe that MSI and Just
Sports Inc have issued a writ against the club this evening, although we are
yet to receive this officially. We will liaise with our lawyers and a
further statement will be made when appropriate."
The third party agreements negotiated with Joorabchian at the time of
Tevez's signing last August were "unilaterally terminated" under pressure
from the Premier League in April to allow West Ham to continue playing him
in their successful battle against relegation.
Having taken that bold step following their £5.5 million fine for breaking
third party ownership rules, the Premier League have insisted that any fee
for Tevez must be paid to West Ham. United and Joorabchian have refused to
deal with West Ham and the matter was referred to Fifa.
However, CAS can only get involved if West Ham and Joorabchian agree to
allow them to make the definitive ruling on the affair.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Time running out for Carlos Tevez - Telegraph
By David Bond
Last Updated: 1:03am BST 25/07/2007
With just three weeks to go to the start of the Premiership season, it is
looking increasingly unlikely that the Carlos Tevez affair will be cleared
up in time to allow him to kick off the new campaign with Manchester United.
An already tangled web of claim and counter claim became even more
complicated and embittered yesterday after world football's governing body,
Fifa, announced they could not rule on the dispute over the Argentine
striker's ownership.
Instead they referred the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
in Lausanne. With so much confusion about the international regulations
relating to third party ownership, Fifa acknowledge that there is now a need
for an independent body to come up with a ruling for a phenomenon which is
commonplace in South America but still relatively new in England and other
parts of Europe. advertisementAlthough Fifa could be criticised for passing
the buck, it nevertheless seemed to offer a sensible solution to a problem
which the Premier League, West Ham and Manchester United have so far been
unable to resolve.
Fifa's insistence that CAS should have the final say on the matter followed
a meeting between Fifa's new general-secretary, Jerome Valcke, and the
acting head of legal affairs, Marco Villiger, with senior Football
Association and Premier League officials on Monday. "This was deemed to be
the best approach in the interest of all parties," Fifa spokesman Andreas
Herren said yesterday. "It is also believed to be the fastest way to solve
the dispute."
However, the chances of CAS providing a definitive ruling on the controversy
seemed remote last night as Tevez's owners, Media Sports Investments and
Just Sport Inc, fronted by the Anglo-Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian,
sued West Ham for breach of contract at the High Court. In doing so,
Joorabchian has finally pressed the button on legal action against West Ham
for ripping up the third party ownership agreements which controlled the
player's economic rights.
West Ham unilaterally terminated those agreements after they were fined £5.5
million for breaking the Premier League's third party rules in April. The
relegation-haunted club were told that unless they cancelled or amended the
contracts, they would not be able to play Tevez in the remaining three
fixtures of last season.
Ever since that moment, Joorabchian and his lawyer, Graham Shear, have
resisted the temptation to take West Ham to court. A spokesman for
Joorabchian said that they had hoped to find an amicable agreement
acceptable to all parties involved. But with the Premier League unable to
accept any transfer of the player negotiated without West Ham's consent, the
situation was always likely to end up being decided in a courtroom.
Joorabchian's spokesman insisted he had reluctantly chosen the High Court
route in the hope that it would be settled more quickly than a hearing at
CAS.
Matthieu Reeb, the CAS general- secretary, appeared to confirm as much when
he told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that any hearing into the case could
not be set up before mid-August, with a ruling delivered a week later. That
would leave very little time before the transfer window shuts on Aug 31. But
with Joorabchian having already negotiated a two-year loan deal with
Manchester United, he is under pressure to deliver the player in time for
the new season on Aug 11. That meant he was left with little choice but to
start court proceedings in the hope that a judge will make a swifter ruling.
Another factor in his thinking was the fact that CAS can only decide on the
player's entitlement to be released from his contract with West Ham.
Whatever CAS decided it would have left loose ends to be cleared up. In
addition to settling that issue, the High Court will also examine whether
West Ham were guilty of breaching their contract with MSI and Just Sport. If
a judge finds in favour of the player's owners, then damages could run into
millions of pounds.
However, one way or another, it now looks like this protracted saga is
reaching its conclusion.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dean Ashton nets first goal for a year - Telegraph
By Marc Isaacs
Last Updated: 1:03am BST 25/07/2007
Dean Ashton scored his first goal for West Ham in almost a year as they drew
1-1 last night in a pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient at Brisbane
Road.
The England striker hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards after quarter of
an hour, the ball swerving past Glenn Morris in goal.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley earlier said he was convinced Craig Bellamy
will do his talking on the pitch this season and can put his dark days
behind him following his £7.5 million move from Liverpool.
Curbishley said: "It's about time, for all sorts of reasons, that Craig
Bellamy let his football do the talking because he's an excellent talent.
We've already seen that in the two weeks he has been at the club. He's a
good player and I'm sure the West Ham fans are going to see him perform. He
has got pace, aggression and is a good finisher."
advertisementDarren Bent scored for Tottenham as the north London side edged
to a close win against Orlando Pirates in Cape Town yesterday. The £16.5
million signing, partnering Jermain Defoe for the first time, put Spurs
ahead in the first half before Wayne Routledge extended the lead after 83
minutes.
However, with five minutes left a thrice-taken penalty, which was eventually
converted by Joseph Kamwendo, meant that the White Hart Lane side had to
endure a nervous finish in the second game of the Vodacom Challenge at
Newlands Stadium.
Rangers, who last night learned that they will entertain FK Zeta from
Montenegro in next week's Champions League qualifying round, suggested that
they may be beginning to find their form at just the right time with an
assured display in a 1-1 draw against Ajax of Amsterdam.
Rangers took the lead from a set play in the 18th minute when Charlie Adam's
corner found the towering Carlos Cuellar unmarked and the impressive
Spaniard's firm downward header found the net. It required an outstanding
reflex save by Maarten Stekelenburg to turn over a point-blank header from
Kris Boyd before Ajax equalised against the run of play on the hour when
John Heitanga sidefooted the ball home.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashton on target in Orient draw - TeamTalk
Dean Ashton scored his first goal for West Ham in almost a year as the
Hammers drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road on Tuesday night. The
England striker hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards after
quarter-of-an-hour, which swerved past Glenn Morris in goal and followed
Carlton Cole's blistering 12-yard shot which went just over. Adam Boyd then
fired narrowly wide for the League One club, before scoring a stunning
equaliser after 20 minutes. The 25-year-old, a new signing from Luton, sent
a 25-yard volley dipping over England goalkeeper Robert Green to mark his
debut for the east London club in style. Orient goalkeeper Morris was taken
off after suffering a head injury in an aerial collision. Kyel Reid then
sent a fierce shot over the bar for the visitors, before Ashton failed to
claim his second of the game when he contrived to miss a glaring opportunity
when he headed over from four yards following Matthew Etherington's
cut-back. Etherington then provided a cross for Lee Bowyer, whose header was
kept out by substitute goalkeeper Stuart Nelson - before Ashton's
left-footed shot went just wide of the goal in the final minute.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
United eager for Tevez resolution - TeamTalk
Manchester United chief executive David Gill is optimistic Carlos Tevez will
be free to join the champions before the August transfer deadline. Tevez's
agent Kia Joorabchian has issued High Court proceedings against West Ham in
a bid to resolve the thorny issue of the player's ownership. The saga has
dogged United's entire pre-season trip to the Far East, with the latest
twist emerging last night when Joorabchian announced he would take the case
to the High Court just hours after FIFA's recommendation, backed by the FA
and Premier League, for the issue to be sent to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport. Having completed all negotiations with Tevez, United can now do
little other than stand back and wait for the dispute to be resolved,
knowing if any judgement came down on West Ham's side, it would almost
certainly scupper any hope they have of securing the 23-year-old for the
first half of the campaign. All along, United's analysis of the situation
is that Joorabchian is the man they should be dealing with. Contrary to the
Premier League's stated position, there is no chance of the Old Trafford
club paying any money to West Ham for Tevez. But Gill is confident the
matter will eventually be resolved to United's satisfaction.
"I have not been involved in this and it is not Manchester United's
decision," Gill said. "Clearly, it is a dispute between Tevez, the owners
and West Ham.
"Hopefully, that can be solved relatively quickly and he can come to join
us. I would have thought they have taken this decision in the belief that he
can join us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Johnson happy to stick with Toffees - TeamTalk
West Ham target Andy Johnson insists there is "no way" he will be quitting
Everton for Upton Park this summer. The England striker, 26, has been linked
with a big-money move to the Hammers but claims he has never contemplated
quitting Goodison Park. He said in the Sun: "There is no way I'm leaving. No
way at all. It never crossed my mind when I saw the stories. It was just
speculation and you can't stop that. "I suppose the speculation is good
because it means you are doing your job properly. But the speculation was
there for Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta as well. "It was silly. Stupid figures
and stupid money. Yet it hasn't unsettled any of us. "Tim and 'Micky' are
sorted and I've got four years left on my contract. I'm not going anywhere."
Johnson has been a big hit on Merseyside since joining Everton from Crystal
Palace for a club-record £8.6million last summer.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers hit by Tevez writ - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
July 25, 2007
KIA JOORABCHIAN has begun legal proceedings against West Ham in a bid to get
his money for Carlos Tevez. Businessman Joorabchian rejected FIFA's proposal
for the dispute over Tevez's transfer to Manchester United to be settled by
the Court of Arbitration for Sport. And last night he issued a writ for
breach of contract against the Hammers. The latest development in soccer's
longest-running row is a major setback to United's hopes of signing Tevez.
Now their best hope of landing the Argentine striker before the transfer
window closes on August 31 is to agree a transfer fee with West Ham. Then it
would be down to the High Court to rule how much compensation the Hammers
would have to pay Joorabchian's company MSI. FA and Premier League chiefs
met with FIFA this week in the hope that the world's ruling body would
intervene. But FIFA refused to get involved and recommended the matter be
referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Joorabchian,
though, fears that could take months. He is also keen for the case to be
heard in the High Court because the proceedings will be made public. The
Court of Arbitration would have met behind closed doors. Solicitor Graham
Shear said in a statement: "I can confirm the companies MSI and Just Sports
Inc have today begun High Court proceedings against West Ham. "This
afternoon a High Court writ was served on the football club's solicitors.
"The companies seek the court's intervention to compel West Ham to release
the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into
between the parties. We are asking the court to intervene so Carlos Tevez
can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible."
Tevez, 23, has already agreed personal terms of £90,000 a week for a
two-year loan spell with United. Joorabchian, who says he owns Tevez's
economic rights, would receive £2million a year from United with the promise
of a £26m transfer fee if they decide to buy him outright in 2009. But the
Premier League refuse to ratify the move unless the bulk of the money goes
to West Ham, who hold Tevez's registration and contract. The Premier League
fined West Ham £5.5m for having a third-party agreement with Joorabchian.
The Hammers then ripped up that agreement, meaning Tevez was able to still
play for them.
But Joorabchian aims to prove in court that he is still the legal owner of
Tevez and is entitled to any money from his move. FIFA refuted claims they
had washed their hands of the row. But spokesman Andreas Herren said: "The
parties in this dispute do not have to go to the Court of Arbitration. That
is their decision. They can go to their own courts if they choose. "FIFA
will not play any further role in this matter."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You're Gunner miss out, Freddie - The Sun
By ADAM SIMMONS
July 25, 2007
FORMER Arsenal heroes Nigel Winterburn and Paul Davis have fired a parting
shot at Freddie Ljungberg after he quit the club blaming their lack of
ambition.
The Swedish midfielder joined West Ham in a £3million deal this week and
claimed the sale of club captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona made his mind up
to leave the Emirates. But Winterburn and Davis — who won five league titles
between them at Arsenal — have slammed Ljungberg, 30, claiming success is
just around the corner for Arsene Wenger's new generation. Both believe
Wenger's style of building a team of young players will bear fruit this
season, with a top-four finish — or even a place in the top two. Winterburn,
who was an integral part of the fabled Highbury back four in the 1980 and
90s, said: "I can see Arsenal finishing in the top two. "They haven't spent
much money but they are improving and the youngsters have had another year's
experience, which is vital. "There's no pressure and, if they learn to cut
out the silly mistakes, I can see Arsenal finishing in the top two, let
alone the top four. "Yes, Henry was world-class and yes he will be missed
but Arsenal are a lot better than people are giving them credit for at the
moment. "I'm expecting a lot of Robin van Persie while Theo Walcott could
come through in a big way. Arsene is such a shrewd manager that all Arsenal
fans can look forward to the new season with optimism." Davis, who made 447
Arsenal appearances between 1979 and 1995, added: "Arsenal and Wenger's
ambition cannot be questioned. "You can see the team he is trying to build
and they will be a success as Wenger has a fantastic way of producing
special players. I'm sure Arsenal are going to surprise a lot of people this
year. "People aren't going to fancy them too much but they will definitely
finish in the top four and I have us down as winning a cup as well. "Don't
write Arsenal off just yet, there's a lot more to come."
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Bellamy told: Curb your gob - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
July 25, 2007
ALAN CURBISHLEY has told new signing Craig Bellamy to do his talking on the
pitch. West Ham's £7.5million striker has been involved in controversy at
almost every club he has been with.Bellamy, 28, brandished a golf club at
Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise and fell out with Newcastle skipper Alan
Shearer and boss Graeme Souness. Hammers boss Curbs said: "It's about time
Craig did his talking on the pitch. He is an exceptional talent and I'm
certain West Ham fans will see him perform. "There are players here who have
a hunger to succeed. Look at Scott Parker, he has come here wanting to get
back into the national side and it's the same with Matthew Upson, who wants
to play for England again." Upton Park chairman Eggert Magnusson added: "If
great players like Freddie Ljungberg come along we will try to bring them
in. We have an open wallet."
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We will see you in court - Hammers sued in Tevez row - This Is London
24.07.07
Carlos Tevez's protracted transfer to Manchester United took yet another
dramatic twist last night when Kia Joorabchian issued a High Court writ
against West Ham. The Iranian businessman, who maintains he owns the
'economic rights' to the player, initiated legal proceedings in an attempt
to force through Tevez's £30million move to Old Trafford. The move came
after another chaotic day in the long-running saga which began with a
recommendation from FIFA that the matter be referred to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, something West Ham agreed to — but
Joorabchian did not. Instead, he issued a writ against West Ham for breach
of contract and damages, fearing that should he agree to take the dispute to
CAS, the matter would not be settled by the close of the transfer window on
August 31. He is also unwilling for the evidence to be heard behind closed
doors, which would have been the outcome if the case had gone to Lausanne,
as he is keen to prove he has nothing to hide. Joorabchian's grievance is
over West Ham's decision to tear up their contract with his companies, MSI
and Just Sports Inc, for Tevez after the Premier League fined the club
£5.5million for breaching rules regarding third party ownership of players.
Doing so allowed West Ham, who retain Tevez's registration, to continue
playing the Argentina forward for the remaining three games of last season —
with his goalscoring contribution proving vital to their Premier League
survival. Lawyer Graham Shear, representing MSI and Just Sports Inc, said in
a statement: "I can confirm that the companies have today begun High Court
proceedings against West Ham. "This afternoon, a High Court writ was served
on the football club's solicitors. The companies seek the court's
intervention to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez
in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties. "We are
asking the court to intervene, so that Carlos Tevez can be registered to
play with Manchester United, as soon as possible."
Should the High Court find in favour of Joorabchian, it could open the door
for Sheffield United — relegated while West Ham survived — to pursue a
compensation claim of their own. Having been thwarted in their attempts to
be reinstated to the Premier League, the Yorkshire club will doubtless be
very interested observers of the High Court case — especially if it rules
that the contract between West Ham and Joorabchian effectively remained
intact as Tevez played on for the crucial final three games of the season.
That the saga is set to go before a judge has much to do with the Premier
League's insistence that West Ham, not Joorabchian, must be seen to be the
financial beneficiaries of Tevez's transfer. The club's other courses of
action were not to play Tevez or to remodel their existing agreement.
Allowing West Ham to tear up the contract and continue to play Tevez was
done on the proviso that their 'ownership' of Tevez would be monitored and
under no circumstances would the Upton Park club be allowed to extricate
themselves from the situation once the season reached its conclusion.
Defending the Premier League's stance, chief executive Richard Scudamore
said yesterday: "The options were sound. They (West Ham) chose the option
they chose. It has made life difficult for them and, in a way, for us by
choosing the option they did. But that is the option they chose. "They could
have gone a different way. For eight months now we have been trying to
resolve this issue as well as keeping the rule-book intact. It is quite
difficult."
Earlier in the day, West Ham revealed that they, along with the FA and the
Premier League, would be happy to follow FIFA's recommendation to have CAS
settle the dispute. FIFA came to their decision following a high-level
meeting with FA and Premier League officials in Zurich yesterday and were
supported by the two domestic bodies. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is
a private, independent and impartial tribunal for sport-related matters
based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is funded by those organisations who
seek its arbitration. However, all parties involved in a dispute must agree
to go to CAS. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren insisted that the world
governing body's unwillingness to use their own arbitration procedure to
settle the dispute was not a case of passing the buck. He said: "Under the
circumstances it was felt it would be in the best interest of all parties to
take this course. "It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this
matter. It is not a refusal by FIFA to get involved, quite the contrary. It
is a recommendation by FIFA to opt for this way."
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Shorey snubs Hammers - This Is London
24.07.07
Nicky Shorey looks set to snub West Ham and Newcastle by signing a new
contract with Reading. The England left back's camp are negotiating with
director of football Nicky Hammond about a £20,000-a-week offer. Shorey,
26, said: "My agent has been talking and discussions are on-going." Reading
and England Under 21 striker Leroy Lita, 22, is also in talks about a new
deal.
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West Ham United Review & Outlook: Fortune Stopped Hiding - Goal.com
The twelfth in a series looking at every Premiership club...
A script-writer planning a new drama series based around a football club
could do worse than use West Ham's 2006-07 season as a blueprint - although
viewers might find the saga a little far-fetched. Having enjoyed an
impressive first season back in the top-flight, finishing in the Premiership
top ten and somewhat unluckily losing the FA Cup final to Liverpool, the
Hammers approached the new campaign with confidence, a Uefa Cup adventure to
look forward to, and expectations running high. The mood was lifted further
when two stars from Argentina's impressive World Cup squad arrived out of
the blue at the Boleyn Ground as the summer transfer window was swinging
shut.
It seemed that lucky manager Alan Pardew had received a gift-wrapped bonus
to help him build on the previous season's achievements - though observers
would soon say the South American double "signing" (which was not all it
seemed) was in fact a poisoned chalice.
The way the interminable and intolerably complicated Carlos Tevez saga has
ballooned in recent months has tended to dull the recollection that the
arrival of Tevez and Javier Mascherano was supposed to have been the advance
guard for a takeover of West Ham by Kia Joorabchian and his shadowy partners
(including Vladimir Putin's favourite ex-pat, Boris Berezovsky) at Media
Sports Investments (MSI).
That never happened. The proposed takeover was frozen out by an Icelandic
consortium's more serious and determined bid, leaving MSI with Eggert on
their anonymous faces, and Tevez and Mascherano in an administrative
no-man's-land that was to have further repercussions as the season
unfolded.Yet it would be simplistic, and simply wrong, to blame West Ham's
woes on the two hired guns from the Pampas. The Hammers' season misfired
almost from the off, although an opening day victory over Charlton was
deceptive. In fact it was to prove merely that the Addicks were in even
worse shape than the Irons.
It would be another 12 matches in all competitions before West Ham won
again, by which time their Uefa Cup campaign was sleeping with the fishes
after a brush with the Sicilians from Palermo; involvement in the Carling
Cup had been terminated at the first hurdle by Chesterfield; West Ham were
only one goal better off than Charlton at the foot of the table; and the
Argentines had been as influential as a couple of vegetarians at a
convention of master butchers.
It was all going horribly wrong for Pardew, a disastrous run of eight
straight defeats sapping confidence and wrecking the pre-season aspirations.
The manager had been dealt an unkind blow when striker Dean Ashton suffered
damaged ligaments and a fracture in one of ankles while training with the
England squad before the Premiership season kicked off. Much had been
expected of Ashton but he missed the entire campaign. Elsewhere in the squad
there were other injuries but, more seriously, a collective loss of form and
direction that was propelling the Hammers onto the rocks of a relegation.
Critics felt that players were coasting on the reputations they'd carved for
themselves during the previous, promising season. Certain players, notably
captain Nigel Reo-Coker, bore the brunt of the East End fans' wrath at the
unwanted turn of events.
But on 29th October Pardew and his beleaguered side could celebrate a rare
win as Blackburn were beaten 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground. Next up, with
takeover talk intensifying off the pitch, were Arsenal - also at home. In a
game typical of the Gunners' season, Arsene Wenger's side created chances
they failed to convert, and Marlon Harewood snatched an improbable breakaway
winner for the Hammers in the 89th minute. On the touchline, the combination
of Wenger's frustration and Pardew's relief and elation proved combustible.
The Arsenal manager would be punished for responding intolerantly when
Pardew celebrated with gusto in his face. But Pardew had won two consecutive
games after a torrid run and felt entitled to celebrate.
However, the momentum could not be maintained: five defeats and only one win
from the next six games, with a solitary goal scored, confirmed that the
Hammers were closer to relegation than salvation. That did not deter the
Icelanders, whose consortium, fronted by Eggert Magnusson, took over the
club on 26th November and initially told Pardew his job was safe. He lasted
three games, the abject manner of the 4-0 defeat at Bolton leaving Magnusson
convinced that the attitude of the players under Pardew's management was
beyond redemption.
A few months later, Magnusson spoke publicly of having had to "cut out a
cancer" within the club, a turn of phrase that hinted darkly at divisive
behind-the-scenes goings-on at Upton Park. But while Pardew would find
employment at Charlton, the Addicks' boss of 15 years - Alan Curbishley,
refreshed after his sabbatical and ready for a new challenge - was installed
as the new Hammers' boss.
Optimism abounded when West Ham dramatically beat Manchester United 1-0 at
home in Curbishley's first game in charge on 17th December. The scorer was
the disillusioned Reo-Coker.
Curbishley's honeymoon period, at least in terms of results, was brief.
Some of his early team selections and comments to the media betrayed a
certain ring-rustiness. The Hammers would not win another League game until
17th March, by which time Mascherano had long gone to Liverpool. In between,
there were some excruciating performances and results: a 6-0 demolition job
by Reading on New Year's Day, a home defeat by Watford and a 4-0 thumping at
The Valley by Charlton, a game crackling with undercurrents from the
respective dugouts. The poor run was despite a considerable, if desperate
outlay of cash in the January transfer window. Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson
arrived to bolster the defence but were both injured almost before their
Hammers' careers had begun, leaving Curbishley reflecting on the fickleness
of the footballing fates.
Magnusson and his fellow backers must also have been wondering what on earth
they'd done to deserve this, although in early March when the Hammers tore
into Spurs to take an early two-goal lead, suddenly finding a bit of belief,
spirit and commitment, things at last looked more promising. A classic
encounter see-sawed breathlessly before Tottenham finally edged it 4-3 to
West Ham's despair.
But if, in that game, Fortune was still hiding (as the club's "Bubbles"
anthem has it), then in the next outing she was brazenly on show. Indeed,
the 2-1 victory at Blackburn qualifies as the luckiest win of the season.
Trailing 1-0, the Hammers were awarded a contentious penalty that Tevez
despatched much to Blackburn's fury. Then Bobby Zamora's scrambled shot was
inadvertently blocked on the line by Tevez, but the referee inexplicably
allowed the goal. West Ham hung on for three precious points - and the Great
Escape had started.
After Middlesbrough were beaten 2-0 at home, West Ham visited the Emirates,
and Fortune had again come of hiding. The most one-sided game of the year
saw Arsenal create enough chances to win three matches. But Robert Green was
inspired in the visitors' goal, the Gunners were misfiring, and Zamora's
solitary first-half effort made it nine points out of nine. Remarkably, the
Hammers had become the first team to defeat Arsenal at their new home - just
as they'd been the last visiting team to win at Highbury.
Successive defeats to fellow-relegation candidates Sheffield United (0-3)
and title hopefuls Chelsea (1-4) threatened to undo the good work, but the
Hammers had fund both their luck and their self-belief, and finished the
campaign in style with four straight wins while those around them were still
dropping points.
Tevez had emerged as the hero, at last justifying the hype with some
dazzling displays that rubbed off on his team-mates. Ironically, as he did
so he was fast becoming one of the most controversial figures in Premiership
history as the League belatedly probed the circumstances of his and
Mascherano's transfers from Corinthians to West Ham and found that the
club's previous regime had broken the rules.
The Hammers were fined a record £5.5 million but crucially escaped the
expected points deduction that could have condemned them to relegation.
Tevez was allowed to carry on playing as West Ham unilaterally tore up the
offending third party agreement with MSI and insisted his registration was
now owned by themselves.
The other clubs in or near the drop zone cried foul, but the Hammers were on
a roll, and with Tevez playing and scoring like a man inspired, they beat
Everton, Wigan, Bolton and finally Manchester United to make it seven wins
and 21 points from their last nine games and finish 15th - three points and
three places above Sheffield United, who were relegated.
The Blades launched a legal campaign to be reinstated at West Ham's expense,
but nobody could deny that for all their wrongdoing off the pitch the
previous August, the Hammers had saved themselves on it with that remarkable
late surge of form. To rub salt into Sheffield wounds, Tevez scored seven
goals in his last nine games. The Argentinian had orchestrated the Great
Escape and despite his earlier indifferent form was named Hammer of the
Year.
The reprieve allowed the Icelandic investors to breathe a huge sigh of
relief and set about ensuring that the coming season will see no repeat of
the perilous journey through the previous campaign. Curbishley, given
abundant funds to spend, has brought in the likes of Scott Parker
(Newcastle, £7m), Julien Faubert (Bordeaux, £6.1m), Richard Wright (Everton,
free), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool, £7.5m) and Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal, up
to £3m).
Paul Konchesky (Fulham, £3.25m), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa, £8.5m),
Tyrone Mears (Derby, £1m), Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool, undisclosed) and
Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa, undisclosed) have all left the club. Tevez
seems certain to follow them out of Upton Park to Old Trafford, though
exactly when remains unclear as legal wrangles over ownership of his
economic rights rumble on. Even Fifa have washed their hands of that one.
But West Ham's Premiership status is intact, even if to many neutrals the
Academy of Football has seemed more like a school for scandal.
Season 2006-07 In A Nutshell:
Outstanding Player: Carlos Tevez.
Outstanding Performance: Beating champions Manchester United 1-0 at Old
Trafford on the final day to guarantee their Premiership survival.
Pivotal Performance: Beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park in
controversial circumstances to launch the Great Escape.
Biggest Disappointments: Failing to build on the previous season's
achievements, playing with so little heart for so long, wasting the rare
opportunity of a European campaign.
2006/2007 Performance
(P W D L GF GA)
All competitions P43 W13 D5 L25 F39-A66
All competitions - Home P22 W9 D2 L11 F27-A28
All competitions - Away P21 W4 D3 L14 F12-A38
Top Scorers
(LG FA LC EU Oth Tot)
Zamora 11 0 0 0 0 11
Tevez 7 0 0 0 0 7
Harewood 3 0 1 0 0 4
Biggest Winning Margin: 3 goals
West Ham 3-0 Brighton FAC R3 6 Jan
Wigan 0-3 West Ham PL 28 Apr
Heaviest Defeat: 6 goals
Reading 6-0 West Ham PL 1 Jan
Highest Scoring Match: 7 goals
West Ham 3-4 Tottenham PL 4 Mar
Clean Sheets: 10
Premiership: 9
Failed To Score: 20
Premiership: 17
Doubles Achieved: 3
Blackburn, Arsenal, Man Utd
Doubles Suffered: 6
Portsmouth, Man City, Reading, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea
Red Cards: 2
Premiership: 2
Paul Konchesky v Fulham (a) PL 23 Dec
Bobby Zamora v Fulham (h) PL 13 Jan
Total Number Of Players Used
In all competitions: 31
Premiership: 30
ATTENDANCES
Overall League & Cup total 755,927
Premiership:
Total 659,663
Average 34,719
Highest 34,977 West H 3-3 Fulham 13 Jan
Highest West H 2-0 Middlesbro 31 Mar
Lowest 33,805 West H 0-2 Wigan 6 Dec
MANAGER: ALAN CURBISHLEY
Appointed 13 December 2006
(P W D L Pts / Max)
All comps*++ P23 W9 D3 L11
Premiership P21 W8 D3 L10 Pts 27 / Max 63 ( 42.86% )
* includes all games from the Premiership, Football League, FA Cup, League
Cup and major European competitions
++ The result of a drawn Cup tie decided on a penalty shoot-out, is recorded
as either a win or defeat
Graham Lister
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L. ORIENT 1-1 WEST HAM - The Mirror
25/07/2007
DEAN ASHTON scored his first goal for West Ham in almost a year last night.
The England striker hit an unstoppable shot from 30 yards after 15 minutes,
which swerved past keeper Glenn Morris. Adam Boyd then fired narrowly wide
for the League One club before scoring a stunning equaliser after 20
minutes. The 25-year-old sent a 25-yard volley dipping over England
goalkeeper Robert Green.
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VILLA TO REBUILD MARLON - The Mirror
By James Nursey 25/07/2007
ASTON VILLA boss Martin O'Neill admits Marlon Harewood's confidence has been
shattered by his dire final season at West Ham. Harewood, 27, became an
Upton Park favourite with 14 Premiership goals to help the Hammers finish
ninth in 2005-06. But the erratic striker only scored four goals last term
as some angry fans made him a scapegoat for West Ham's plunge down the
table. New manager Alan Curbishley preferred Bobby Zamora with Carlos Tevez
up front - leaving Harewood on the bench for the Hammers' final three games
of the season as they beat the drop in dramatic fashion. And O'Neill reckons
he has a big job on his hands to rebuild his new £4m signing's fragile state
of mind and turn him into a feared marksman again. "Marlon lost a bit of
confidence because the season his club were expecting didn't materialise,"
admitted O'Neill, who has also bought Nigel Reo-Coker from the Upton Park
outfit. "The season before last he was on fire but, like a number of players
at West Ham, he lost his way a little bit. "He'll argue the season before
was better than 'not too bad' and if he gets back to that form at all then
that would be good enough for us. "I know Marlon's game pretty much inside
out and he's strong, aggressive and quick but maybe with a bit of composure
he might be better."
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West Ham boss Curbishley plans more signings
tribalfooball.com - July 24, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits his summer spending is far from
over. Curbishley will give new signings Freddie Ljungberg and Craig Bellamy
a run-out against Milton Keynes Dons tonight. But he said: "We're a bit
skinny in one or two areas and we could still bring in a player or two."
Former England midfielder Scott Parker is still sidelined.
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West Ham suffering Tevez fatigue - Curbishley
tribalfooball.com - July 24, 2007
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits the club is beginning to suffer
from Carlos Tevez fatigue. He said: "Everyday seems to be a Tevez day at the
moment. We can't seem to get away from it. I think it needed to be sorted
out a long time ago."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joorabchian sues West Ham for breach of contract over Tevez
Matt Scott
Wednesday July 25, 2007
The Guardian
Kia Joorabchian and the offshore companies he represents yesterday issued a
writ against West Ham United in an attempt to force through Carlos Tevez's
move to Manchester United. Lawyers for Media Sports Investments and Just
Sports Inc - the companies who held the economic rights relating to Tevez
when he moved to Upton Park last August - have lodged a breach-of-contract
claim with the courts.
Yesterday's development was the realisation of a threat that has been
outstanding since April. That was when the Hammers tore up their agreements
with MSI-JSI after pleading guilty to breaking two separate Premier League
rules in their contracts with and conduct over Tevez.
But MSI-JSI's position hardened only after Fifa, following dialogue with the
Football Association and the League, recommended that the case be referred
to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"The companies seek the court's intervention to compel West Ham to release
the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into
between the parties," said Graham Shear, a solicitor for MSI-JSI. They are
ready to highlight Tevez's eviction from his home - a flat in Canary Wharf
that had been organised for him by West Ham - while he was away on Copa
América duty with Argentina this summer. They will claim this is proof that
the Hammers have not been consistent in asserting their rights over the
player.
Under pressure from the Premier League to stick by their decision to pull
out of the agreements with MSI-JSI, West Ham are relying on Tevez's
three-year playing contract and the registration document they hold as
evidence that he is their own asset.
The Hammers would also draw in their defence on the belief expressed by two
QCs in a Premier League disciplinary hearing in April that the third-party
contracts held with MSI-JSI are legally unenforceable.
Yesterday's development means Tevez's hoped-for move to Old Trafford appears
ever more distant. There has been no bid from the Premiership champions,
without which the Premier League will not process a transfer. It is clear
that the legal quandary must be resolved before Tevez can switch clubs.
West Ham, who say they are "happy" to go to CAS, are puzzled as to why
Tevez's camp would head for the civil courts. CAS could hear a complaint
between August 10 and 15, allowing time for the Argentina forward's transfer
to Manchester United to be processed before the August 31 transfer deadline;
a High Court case could take months to be heard.
But an Old Trafford spokesman last night said: "We are hopeful that there
will be an early resolution. We are happy with our case and confident he
will be our player at the end of the transfer window."
It is believed Joorabchian is willing to take the risk of a less swift
process if he can guarantee an open and public hearing, such as is the case
in the High Court. CAS - where decisions are binding and which may be
appealed only on procedural grounds - would announce only its verdict,
without providing details of its reasons.
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