West Ham & Blades end Tevez saga

[Rappy Veteran]

West Ham and Sheffield United have reached an out-of-court settlement over the long-running Carlos Tevez saga.

Striker Tevez, 25, helped West Ham seal Premier League survival in 2006/2007, while the Blades were relegated.

The Blades argued Tevez was ineligible to play and an independent hearing ruled in favour of their claim for compensation from West Ham.

A compensation figure has not been disclosed but the BBC understands it is in the region of ?15m in installments.

Championship side Sheffield United's chairman Kevin McCabe said: "We are happy and satisfied with the settlement with West Ham.

"Throughout the finalisation of the terms for the agreement, the discussions were friendly, co-operative and in the best of spirit with both the Blades and Hammers advisory teams.

"We are two clubs with a fantastic footballing history who now want to move on and focus on the business of playing football - hopefully for us against the Hammers in the Premier League next season."

A tribunal into the level of compensation Sheffield United would receive was set to start on Monday but will now not be needed.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury stated: "For everyone concerned, the time was right to draw a line under this whole episode.

"We have had very positive discussions over a number of days with Sheffield United and acknowledge their willingness to resolve this in the best interests of both clubs."

The Hammers were fined ?5.5m in April 2007 by the Premier League for breaking rules over third-party agreements when bringing striker Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano to Upton Park.

They were not docked points and, ultimately, went on to ensure their Premier League survival, with Tevez playing a key part with his goals, including three in the last two games.

He has since moved on to Manchester United, while midfielder Mascherano is now at Liverpool.

A Premier League and Football Association inquiry launched in January continues to investigate the conduct of some West Ham representatives into the affair.

Source

At least its over but stil:(:(

[Zoom7000]

Warnock may sue over Tevez saga

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is considering suing West Ham now that the two clubs have concluded their legal dispute over Carlos Tevez.

The Blades agreed a settlement with the Hammers on Monday after claiming compensation for the part Tevez played in keeping the London club up in 2007.

Warnock, whose side went down, told the BBC he would be "seeking legal advice".

He added: "We worked so hard that year. The club was going forward. You do feel bitter without a shadow of a doubt."

BBC Sport understands West Ham have agreed to pay the Blades about ?20m in compensation, which will be paid in installments over a five-year period.

And if West Ham are sold within a certain timeframe, a further bond of ?5m will be payable to Sheffield United.

Warnock, now boss of Crystal Palace, said he could think about his own position now that the clubs have sorted their issues.

"It's just been a matter of finalising all those details first before you think about your personal losses," he told Radio 5 Live.

In April 2007, West Ham were fined ?5.5m by the Premier League for breaking rules over third-party agreements when taking striker Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano to Upton Park.

But they were not docked points and, ultimately, went on to ensure their Premier League survival, with Tevez playing a key part with his goals, including three in the last two games.

Warnock spent seven-and-a-half years as Blades manager before resigning three days after they were relegated on the last day of the 2007 season following a defeat at home by Wigan.

As the Blades were losing that day, Tevez scored West Ham's winner at Manchester United - the club the forward went on to join.

Players from the Sheffield United team that were relegated also intend to pursue their compensation claim.

"We understand, but have not been informed officially, that the club's dispute with West Ham has been settled," Chris Farnell, the lawyer representing the players, told The Times newspaper.

"However, the players' claim will continue independently. We have made correspondence with West Ham's lawyers as recently as the end of last week."

However, West Ham have told BBC Sport that they have not received a claim from the players.

Source - BBC Sport

It's all getting a bit silly now me thinks! As far as I'm concerned it shouldn't have got this far anyway. The Premier League fined the club, this has now turned into "Double Jeopardy" of sorts:hmmm:mm:

[nothuman]

The way the player is managed is also silly and probabaly not so "ethical".

[Rappy Veteran]

I saw that Warnock is suing that guy is a complete c**t he really is, he says Sheff Utd would of stayed up...yeah because we made them lose their last 2 games :rolleyes:

[Martyn]

It is football, no one will ever be happy, and Warnock is one of the most bitter people in the game in my opinion.

You should have put it in the original Tevez and Mascherano thread, it has been going for a few years now :p

[Rappy Veteran]

It is football, no one will ever be happy, and Warnock is one of the most bitter people in the game in my opinion.

You should have put it in the original Tevez and Mascherano thread, it has been going for a few years now :p

I had actually forgot about that thread, well hopefully this is the last time we will be mentioned in the same vain as those 2 players :p

[leesmithg]

Scudamore and the Premier league should compensate Sheffield United FC, the players and the manager.

The premier league knew from day on West Ham United had broken the rules.

The saga is far from over.

[Zoom7000]

This is getting ridiculous now!

Leeds may seek Tevez compensation

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."

Source - BBC Sport

I might ask my lawyer to look into suing West Ham for the Tevez saga too. Maybe I can say they made me feel aggrieved by allow such a great player to leave the club and also putting us fans through the torment of a relagation battle!:rolleyes:s:

Seriously now, Ken Bates and anyone else looking to try and cash in, need to get a grip!

[Rappy Veteran]

This is getting insane, I was just thinking about ringing my lawyer I want some free cash.

[Rappy Veteran]

Former Sheffield United player Michael Tonge has revealed he would contemplate joining a legal claim against West Ham if some of his ex-teammates hold his hand. He said:

?I?m just waiting to see what comes of it. I?m not taking it upon myself to make a claim, but might consider joining one.?

The midfielder is back in the Premier League now with Stoke - and one has to wonder who he will blame if the Potters go down this summer - but Tony Pulis obviously doesn?t rate him too highly as he has started just one league game.

Tonge also showed ignorance of the situation by stating that Carlos Tevez? goal on the final day at Old Trafford kept West Ham up when the reality is that all they needed was a draw, meaning the back five who shut Manchester United out deserve the credit. Indeed, Henry Winter, the journalist who provided evidence supporting Sheffield United?s case, named Green man of the match in his report on the game.

Besides, If Tonge believes he can pinpoint his relegation entirely on the performance of another player, will he be equally as willing to reject any bonuses coming his way if Stoke stay up this season when he has done little to aid their cause?

[Rappy Veteran]

Fulham Submit ?700k Claim

In an extraordinary twist on the Carlos Tevez saga, Fulham have submitted a claim for ?700,000 in compensation from West Ham United because they finished below the Hammers in the season that the Argentine striker played at Upton Park. The claim appears to confirm the fear of "legal anarchy" that West Ham warned about.

The cash relates to the loss of so-called "merit money" that Fulham believe they missed out on because the 2006-07 campaign ended with them in 16th place, two points behind 15th-placed West Ham. They claim that, because of Tevez, they finished in a false position.

Fulham received ?20.26m in merit money ? the cash divided between the clubs from the television and broadcast deals brokered by the Premier League ? with West Ham receiving ?20.71m. The difference amounts to ?450,000 ? the extra cash they would have received in 2007 ? but, confusingly, Fulham are understood to have submitted a claim for ?700,000 which is the amount they would be due if the places were reversed this season.

The action was launched on Tuesday, the day after West Ham, who will fight it and have reacted with incredulity to the claim, announced they had reached an out-of-court settlement with Sheffield United of ?20m, spread over the next five seasons, to end the Blades' long-running dispute over Tevez.

The settlement followed the arbitration judgment by the independent tribunal, chaired by Lord Griffiths, which decided that Tevez, whose signing had breached rules on third-party ownership, had had a decisive effect on the Blades being relegated and West Ham surviving that season.

West Ham, who had already been fined ?5.5m by the Premier League and torn up Tevez's original contract, had rejected the claim and were furious they had no right to appeal or recourse to the Court of Arbitration in Sport. They decided to settle because they did not want to go before Griffiths again and could not afford a hefty lump sum payment given the financial plight of owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

In a statement on Tuesday, in the wake of the attempts by players, former Blades' manager Neil Warnock and Leeds United chairman Ken Bates to claim compensation, West Ham said they would "strongly resist any attempts to prolong this matter through the courts, both to protect our interests and those of the wider game".

Fulham have now lodged a formal legal claim but Wigan Athletic, who finished 17th that season, three points behind West Ham, made clear yesterday that, contrary to reports, they have not sought any further legal advice and do not intend to seek compensation for a "false league position".

The crucial piece of the ruling that Fulham have seized on is Griffiths' panel's judgment that they had "no doubt" that West Ham would have acquired "at least three fewer points" without Tevez. The panel claimed that in the last two games of that season Tevez "more likely than not" helped West Ham to achieve the three extra points that ensured they avoided relegation at the expense of the Blades.

For example, could West Ham now sue the authorities for appointing referee Stuart Attwell who then sent off Carlton Cole, harshly, in the recent match away to Wigan? It meant the striker missed last Monday's match against West Brom, which ended in a goalless draw with West Ham dropping two points, affecting their chances of qualifying for Europe?

The ramifications may be endless. In another example, of course, Sheffield United may themselves be affected should Barnsley be relegated and link their demotion from the Championship to the elbow thrown by Chris Morgan into the face of the Barnsley striker ? and record signing ? Iain Hume which left him with a fractured skull and unable to play for the rest of the season.

If Fulham pursue their claim it may also require the establishment of yet another arbitration hearing as the case involving Sheffield United was a private arbitration.

The Premier League and Football Association are already carrying out a fresh inquiry into the Tevez affair but are not expected to mete out any further punishment.

As for the claims being pursued by Warnock, who is waiting for legal advice from the League Managers Association, and the players, West Ham are confident that they can successfully defend any action. Bates, who believes Leeds are entitled to windfall payments through three players he sold to the Sheffield club that season, is likely to pursue the Blades for the ?500,000 in compensation he wants.

Really...I mean come on it's now come to the point where its farcical beyond reality.