West Ham wriggle...

[Foxy]

Taken from:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/west_ham/article3747068.ece

West Ham United have sent an extraordinary letter to other Barclays Premier League clubs canvassing support in their ongoing legal battle with Sheffield United. They have asked effectively for clubs to admit that they were unaware of the existence of a league rule that prevents a third party from influencing the performance of a player.

West Ham would like the information as they prepare evidence to defend separate claims from Sheffield United and Kia Joorabchian. The Yorkshire club believe that they were relegated as a result of West Ham's admitted breach of Premier League rules in the transfer of Carlos Tévez last season. Sheffield United estimate that being relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship cost them £30 million. The FA's arbitration proceedings into the case will be heard in June.

Joorabchian, Tévez's representative, has begun a case in the High Court, claiming that he is owed £7.1 million relating to the transfer of the Argentina forward, who helped to rescue West Ham from relegation last season.

It is understood that West Ham want the evidence to prove that they did not act maliciously when they entered into a third-party agreement to sign Tévez at the start of last season because many clubs were either not aware of the rules or did not believe that they referred to this situation. One problem with the argument could be that they pleaded guilty to entering into such an agreement, thereby breaching rule U18, for which they were fined £2.5 million last year.

West Ham hope to attract support from clubs who fear that victory for Sheffield United will open the floodgates for other compensation claims. Peter Barnes, the West Ham secretary, sent an e-mail to his counterparts on April 10 asking for assistance.

“Our legal team have asked me to see whether you would be prepared to assist with a written witness statement which they can help you to prepare to aid our case,” Barnes wrote. “The question is: 'When you were involved in transfers in Season 2006-7 did any of you other than referring to the Sections K, L and M ever consult or have need to refer to Rule U18 or indeed ever really know of its existence?' I confirm if you agree to assist it would only involve a written statement and not an appearance at court.”

The Tévez wrangle overshadowed the achievement of avoiding relegation last season, but it has been injuries at Upton Park that have blighted the present campaign. As many as a dozen players have been unavailable at times this season, prompting West Ham to begin an investigation, led by Roehampton University, into the medical set-up. They will consider the types of injuries and why rehabilitations are taking longer than normal.

Fredrik Ljungberg is, however, close to a return after missing the past two matches. The midfield player suffered an inflamed nerve, not a hamstring injury as had been feared, in the 2-1 defeat away to Sunderland last month. The Sweden player is expected to return to the squad for the match against Derby County on Saturday.

“The injury was a little weird, especially since it was quite painful,” he said. “It was quite hard for the medical team to diagnose, but I've been told it was an inflamed nerve. Luckily, the hamstring is not injured, which is great.
“The extra work I put in this winter, in the gym, is the reason I am in good shape. Despite being in some pain due to a nerve-root inflammation, the hamstring itself is fine and there is no sign of a pull or strain.”

 

[Foxy]

The question is: 'When you were involved in transfers in Season 2006-7 did any of you other than referring to the Sections K, L and M ever consult or have need to refer to Rule U18 or indeed ever really know of its existence?'

Erm.... why would they unless they were attempting to sign a 3rd party player?

Surely no other Premier League clubs, despite the love in, will support them on this one... its effectively admitting incompetance and a complete disregard to the rules they agree to operate under.

 

[Linz]

So what about, if Kia Bobchicken is correct, and they carried on playing him illegally after pleading guilty to the rule? Surely they can't claim ignorance then?

Tough tits is what I'd say, not the Premier League's job to make sure the clubs read the rule book.

 

[MAQ]

I can see this whole thing coming alive again and the media having to go right the way back through the events to try and make sense of this.

At the end of the day Wet Spams legal team are doing what they are paid for in by trying to find any possible loophole that may assisst them in not losing this battle.

Hopefully this will actually help our case, because for me (If I were a legal eagle type) i would be confirming this straight away, and making sure that it isnt press fabrication, and once i had confirmation it would then be easy to turn this right back on them.

Logically if you look at what they are supposed to be doing, canvassing support as they claim that they were "unaware" of this rule, they are therefore admitting that they did in fact break this law and therefore failed to conduct themselves ina considerate manner to wards the other clubs in the league.

Thats the first installment of my 2p worth

 

[chrisyb99]

I wonder if the 'letter' they are sending to each club will include last season's teams who were directly effected (us charlton and watford) or derby, sunderland and birmingham who most probably couldnt give a stuff about it?

 

[beightonblade]

I wonder if the 'letter' they are sending to each club will include last season's teams who were directly effected (us charlton and watford) or derby, sunderland and birmingham who most probably couldnt give a stuff about it?

More like a big brown envelope............

the whole affair stinks more than a jellied eel pie.

 

[Kev Gee]

We all know the PL loves 'West Am' and there millions.

Heck even Peter Scudamore was sat with there Chairman at the last match of last season.

 

[chrisyb99]

wigan chairman dave whelan was on sky sports news earlier saying that he is still supporting sheff united and always will

 

[BexleyBlade]

Heck even Peter Scudamore was sat with there Chairman at the last match of last season.

Is he Richard's older brother?

 

[jodman]

Having just read the official minutes from the verdict for the first time i once again find myself all worked up by the whole thing. I'm not sure if i can take yet more of the FA 'looking the other way' while the evidence against West Ham piles up.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Jarboochian is successful in his case against the Hammers and we still get stiffed in ours.

I know that its common knowledge but the FA bottled the decision and i for one am glad that we aren't letting them sweep the whole thing under the rug; even though it does get me all worked up!

 

[silverfox]

Having just read the official minutes from the verdict for the first time i once again find myself all worked up by the whole thing. I'm not sure if i can take yet more of the FA 'looking the other way' while the evidence against West Ham piles up.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Jarboochian is successful in his case against the Hammers and we still get stiffed in ours.

I know that its common knowledge but the FA bottled the decision and i for one am glad that we aren't letting them sweep the whole thing under the rug; even though it does get me all worked up!

I'd agree but................

Everyone knows now that they are cheats but it's all about damage limitation.

It will all blow over with the minimum amount possible paid to us.