Al Fayed: 'I'll go to court to help Blades'

[Bladesman]

Al Fayed: 'I'll go to court to help Blades'

SHEFFIELD United, who have unveiled plans for their show of strength in the city tomorrow afternoon, will apply further pressure to the Premier League and its chief executive, Richard Scudamore, when they take their fight for justice to Westminster.


While supporters gather at Barkers Pool, actor and football club director Sean Bean will lead a 100-strong delegation to the Houses of Parliament where Bramall Lane's Fairness Campaign has captured the imagination of nearly 50 MPs.

But perhaps the most crucial and telling development of the past 48 hours is Mohamed Al Fayed's signal that the weight of opinion swelling behind United shows no sign of abating following the Fulham owner confirmation that he will personally intervene if next week's independent arbitration panel fails to rule that the FAPL's decision to fine rather deduct West Ham points for a serious breach of transfer regulations was flawed.

United argue the failure to impose what they regard as an adequate punishment on Alan Curbishley's side contributed to their relegation to the Championship and, as a result, the loss of at least £30m in television revenues.

"If any club brings in players without approval, how can they just want to fine them, because it affects other clubs," Al Fayed said.

"We are going to arbitration to teach them a lesson. Why do they make favours?

"If the arbitration is fair and people who know about law and about justice, we are on the right side.

"If arbitration fails, we go to court. I am a man of principle.

"I just don't let people get away with unfair and unjust practices, especially the Premier League."

Officials at the FAPL claim that United are "wasting their time" trying to win reinstatement.

But, although a wall of silence continues to surround their London HQ, the organisation's chief executive, Scudamore, must be concerned that he is making some powerful enemies.

Kevin McCabe, United's plc chairman, has been indulging in some frantic politicking behind the scenes as he attempts to overturn the judgement and has also vowed to take the matter to the High Court if necessary.

Al Fayed's refusal to slip quietly back into the shadows - Fulham were one of several clubs who could have been affected by the FAPL's actions - is bound to cause even more disquiet, especially after his call for the resignations of Scudamore and chairman Sir Dave Richards during the immediate aftermath of the Carlos Tevez affair.

Meanwhile, United have asked fans to gather in Barkers Pool from 1pm in a peaceful protest against the FAPL's ruling.

"We feel it is a peaceful, convenient way of allowing our fans who have written to The Star and the club, or used the radio phone-ins, to demonstrate their feelings without the expense and time involved in going down to London," said a United spokesman.

Guest speakers are also scheduled to attend.

Al Fayed will take em to court even if the arbitration fails.

 

[silverfox]

We reported on this 2 days ago in the Panel thread....

http://www.sheff-utd.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6909

 

[Bladesman]

Oh well nevermind

 

[markdablade]

how many clubs are actually behind us lol??

do you reckon he'll let all blades fans have a day in harrods were we get what ever we want for free if we don't get reinstated lol??

 

[S64 Blade]

Would be nice. Whatever we wanted would be daft. Id just say i want the whole shop.

£500 voucher would get a few bits and bobs,lol.

 

[markdablade]

a dunno it is harrods lol

 

[Bladesman]

how many clubs are actually behind us lol??

do you reckon he'll let all blades fans have a day in harrods were we get what ever we want for free if we don't get reinstated lol??

I think its Fulham, Boro, Wigan and Charlton still.

 

[sendô WHU]

I think its Fulham, Boro, Wigan and Charlton still.

Ahh yes. There's Al Fayed - well known for being legal and above board, and continually harping on about the Royal family assassinating Diana.

Then we've got Dave Whelan, who moaned non stop until Wigan stayed up, and then... erm... I'm not sure if he's still alive actually. Let us not forget when he was fined for JJB's price fixing a few years back. Yes a bastion of morality, I can see where he is coming from.

Then there is Charlton, who again haven't said a thing since they went down.

Finally, Boro, whose chairman, Gibson I think said something along the lines of "I don't know the ins and outs of the Tevez affair but..." and then preceeded to comment on something he didn't have a clue about, which only serves to demonstrate how Middlesbrough themselves have such a poor team.

I'm still finding all this quite funny. I know I shouldn't but I do.

 

[Foxy]

I'm still finding all this quite funny. I know I shouldn't but I do.

You see theres the difference, had our two roles been reverse i'd be feeling very lucky and embarrased that we'd been handed such a weak punishment. I'd feel a lot of sorrow for the parties losing out who played by the rules.

 

[salmonbones]

Al Fayed likes to see the conspiracy everywhere - but why shouldn't you take his offer?

after all, no publicity is bad publicity and all that.

 

[Bladesman]

Exactly he is probably one of the best people we can have backing us really.