LONDON - Sheffield United have won their compensation claim against West Ham after an independent tribunal ruled in the South Yorkshire club’s favour regarding the Carlos Tevez affair.
Blades chairman Kevin McCabe revealed that the tribunal found the Hammers guilty of breaching league regulations when they signed Tevez and Argentine compatriot Javier Mascherano, now at Liverpool, at the beginning of the 2006-07 season.
“I can confirm that both clubs have been notified of the ruling,” he told the club’s official website.
“The arbitration panel has awarded in our favour. The matter is still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further until we have completed that process.”
In response to press reports that West Ham face a £30m pay-out to Sheffield United, McCabe said it would be “inappropriate” to discuss the figure at present.
A West Ham spokesperson told the BBC: “We need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult our lawyers on the next steps we might take before making any further comment.”
The Football Association confirmed that there was no further right of appeal against the latest ruling.
“The dispute has been heard by a private independent arbitration tribunal set up under the FA’s rules,” the governing body stated.
“The arbitration tribunal is comprised of one member nominated by each club, plus an independent member agreed upon by the two parties.
“All aspects of the arbitration, including publicity, are then a matter for the arbitration tribunal and the two parties concerned.
“For clarity, the FA did not sit in judgment on this case, did not have any influence on the decision and did not appoint any of the tribunal members.”
The three-man panel consisted of former MCC president Lord Griffiths, former High Court judge Sir Anthony Colman and Robert Englehart QC.
West Ham avoided relegation on the final day of the 2006-07 season at the expense of the Bramall Lane outfit, with Tevez scoring the only goal of the game against Manchester United at Old Trafford - his sixth in the final 10 matches.
He subsequently moved to the Red Devils and helped them become Premier League and European champions in 2007-2008.
The original three-man Premier League arbitration panel, which agreed that West Ham had contravened rules on third-party ownership of players, fined the East London club £5.5m instead of imposing a points penalty which would have seen Sheffield United stay up.
The Championship club have since pursued monetary compensation for the losses incurred by relegation, estimated by them at £50m, which include gate receipts, matchday income from hospitality and restaurants and broadcasting monies.
|
