Blades Win Case Against Hammers

A FA arbitration tribunal has ruled in favour of Sheffield United and against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair. West Ham were found guilty of breaching league regulations in the signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006. The Hammers survived in the Premiership in 2007 at the Blades’ expense. Rather than being docked points by the Premiership arbitration panel, West Ham were fined £5.5m. The FA panel has found that the presence of Tevez made the difference in terms of West Ham staying up.

A FA arbitration tribunal has ruled in favour of Sheffield United and against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair. West Ham were found guilty of breaching league regulations in the signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006. The Hammers survived in the Premiership in 2007 at the Blades’ expense. Rather than being docked points by the Premiership arbitration panel, West Ham were fined £5.5m. The FA panel has found that the presence of Tevez made the difference in terms of West Ham staying up. The question of compensation has not been resolved, but a figure of £30m is being widely talked about, although the Blades originally calculated the figure at £50m. West Ham are reserving their position while they consult their lawyers. Sheffield United have not ruled out further action against the Premiership, although it is difficult to see what they could do other than pay further compensation. Reinstatement is an impossibility. However, the outcome reflects credit on the Blades’ board for sticking to their guns. At least one former United player has said that he will talk to his agent about the possibility of compensation.