West Ham United Season 2008/9

[johntheclaret]

Geez, there are so many headliners this season,.

Do you remember last year when Sheffield United were relegated after West Ham won their last game. The irony was that Tevez scored the winning goal and all the hullaballo that followed after it was revealed that Tevez was not registered to the Hammers.

Sheffield United was pretty unhappy and took their case to the FA. Of course the muppets in charge stuck their head in the sand hoping it would all go away. Well Sheffield United decided they weren't going to go quietly and took their case to an independant tribunal, as guess what ?

They won their case.

They are now sueing West Ham for lost revenues od £31m this year and just to add salt to the would, a number of WHU players have jumped on the lost earning bandwagon.

Now the question you have to ask is, how limited is the case. If Seff U don't get promoted this year could they have a case for sueing WHU for another £30m next year on the basis that they could have survived in the EPL this year too. Hmm. An of course how long could this run for. what if they don't make it back for 20 years ??

Personally, I think that WHU could have a case against the FA and could counter sue, after all it was the non decision by the FA that has lead to this debacle in the 1st place.

Here's the Sky News story

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has criticised West Ham for appealing against an independent tribunal which ruled against them over the Carlos Tevez affair.

A Premier League arbitration panel found West Ham guilty of breaking league rules over the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in April 2007. The league fined The Hammers £5.5million but decided not to deduct points, and West Ham went on to escape relegation at Sheffield United's expense. Tevez played a major role in West Ham's miraculous end of season form which saved them; a turn of events that infuriated Sheffield United.

The Blades have continued their battle against West Ham and an independent FA tribunal ruled in their favour earlier this week, which means the East London club could be liable to pay as much as £30million compensation to The Blades. However, West Ham have reacted by confirming they are planning to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

But Triesman is not happy that West Ham are to appeal the latest ruling.

"If it is going to go through the courts it is going to drag on, and on, and on," he told Sky Sports News. I never cease to be amazed about the ability of lawyers to argue about these things and that is peoples' right of course - but I think it would be much simpler for people to observe the rules of football. The FA is a pretty decent regulatory body and there is no reason why a very big club shouldn't feel that it should regard those rules too."

JTC's comment. What a load of bollocks. The FA is soley responsible for the dilemma that West Ham finds itself in. WTF did they expect WHU to do once the tribunal found in favour of Sheff U.

Talk about hipocrasy. The FA did not follow their own rules and now criticise WHU for fighting their corner.

[johntheclaret]

Ref, The Times

Chris Morgan refuses to enter row over Carlos Tévez

Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United captain, has denied that the club’s players have met to discuss the possibility of launching individual claims against West Ham United. An independent arbitration panel ruled in favour of Sheffield United last week in their claim for compensation from West Ham over the Carlos Tévez affair.

The panel has yet to determine the size of the payout, but Sheffield United are claiming in excess of £30 million from the London club for being relegated from the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the 2006-07 season.

After Sheffield United’s 2-1 Coca-Cola Championship win over Watford on Saturday, Morgan said: “There’s been no meeting that I’m aware of that’s taken place with any players this week. We’ve always said as players we can’t get involved in what goes on at that side, that’s down to the chairman and chief executive and people like that. That’s their job. We’re employed by this football club to play football, not to set meetings up talking about money. We’ve not even thought about it.”

[johntheclaret]

Thanks to Football365

BLADES FACE DELAY IN COMPENSATION BID

Sheffield United's compensation claim over the Carlos Tevez affair looks set to be delayed until next February as West Ham step up their legal fight.
The Blades are claiming £30million in damages for being relegated from the Premier League after winning an arbitration tribunal ruling last month.
West Ham are due to submit a claim to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on Thursday, asking them to rule on the case, and are also considering High Court action.

Meanwhile, Lord Griffiths, the 85-year-old law lord who headed the arbitration panel, has agreed to adjourn Thursday's directions hearing - aimed at laying out the timetable to decide compensation - after West Ham asked for a postponement. It is now expected to be February next year before any compensation decision is reached, and even longer if the case goes to CAS or the High Court.

If Sheffield United do not give the go-ahead for CAS to arbitrate in the case, however - and there has been no sign of that so far - then that hugely decreases the chances of that court agreeing to take the case.

A West Ham spokesman called on the Blades to agree to take the case to CAS. The spokesman said: "We do believe that the arbitration panel's ruling needs to be reviewed by a court which can help resolve the outstanding issues in this case. This is not about the issue of damages - the current ruling has major implications for English football. West Ham will continue to look at the available options for further action and we do believe that Sheffield United should join us in a hearing at the Court of Arbitration."

Sheffield United lost two independent appeals against the Premier League and a High Court action before winning the independent arbitration ruling brought under FA rules.

West Ham have sacked the legal team that represented them at the arbitration panel and have brought in a new team headed by Maurice Watkins, the solicitor who is Manchester United's legal adviser.

Sheffield United's chairman Kevin McCabe refused to comment on West Ham's call beyond saying: "If that is what they are saying, then that's their prerogative. We will not be commenting."

[johntheclaret]

This story is set to run and run.

Thanks to Sky and The Mirror

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has admitted the Trotters could be the next club to launch action against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair.

Sheffield United are embroiled in a lengthy battle against the Hammers in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League in 2007, when Tevez played a key role in the Upton Park club's survival.
The Premier League found West Ham guilty of breaching league rules over the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, fining them £5.5million in April last year, but electing not to dock any points.
The Blades continued their fight and an independent FA tribunal recently ruled in their favour on the matter, with West Ham now facing a compensation bill reported to be in the region of £30million.
West Ham are planning to appeal the latest ruling, with Gartside admitting that he will watch the outcome of the case with interest.

Bolton were beaten by West Ham towards the end of the 2006/07 season, a result which Gartside claims affected their final standing in the table and the amount of prize money they received. He told the Daily Mirror: "There is an argument to say we can claim three points from West Ham. "We went down there and lost 3-1, Tevez scored two and it cost us £700,000 because that was one place in the league. If Sheffield United are successful and get a claim, then why shouldn't we? It will make two or three clubs look at it and say they have lost income."

Bolton finished the 2006/07 season in seventh place, two points adrift of Everton in sixth, but with a vastly inferior goal difference.

[johntheclaret]

Poor old Ammers. They do seem to be in the wars lately. Maybe there are some happy days on the horizon ??

Thanks to the Mirror

West Ham are new takeover target of Dubai-based firm linked with Charlton

West Ham are reported to be the subject of a takeover from a company owned by the Dubai royal family.
Zabeel Investments, who were last week linked with a takeover at Charlton, have turned their attentions to West Ham and are said to have tabled a bid to Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
The Icelandic businessman is believed to have knocked back the offer, but may be forced to reconsider his position after his personal finances were hit by the collapse of Landsbanki last week.
If Zabeel Investments’ bid succeeds they would have to abandon their interest in the Charlton under Premier League ownership rules.

In related news, West Ham said to be close to securing a new £4m-a-year shirt sponsorship deal after their previous sponsor XL Leisure went bust.

[johntheclaret]

And the story rumbles on

Thanks to The Times

West Ham United await fate

West Ham United will resume battle today to overturn the decision to award compensation to Sheffield United after the South Yorkshire club’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League two years ago.

An independent panel ruled in September that West Ham were liable because their signing of Carlos Tévez broke Premier League rules and the forward was worth more than three points over the 2006-07 season. The East London club finished three points above their rivals. West Ham are trying to force the tribunal to explain the workings that led to that conclusion, while Sheffield United have mounted a separate legal challenge to stop West Ham having an appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne after an application was made there last month. Both cases will be heard in the High Court today.

Should Sheffield United win the argument, the arbitration panel will begin deliberations on the amount of compensation that should be paid.

[whufc]

watch us get relegated this season, after watching Lucas Neill play more than 30 premier league games for the hammers i have to say he is the most over-rated player in the world, the sooner we get rid of him the better.

[johntheclaret]

Things not good for the Hammers whufc.

2 points off the drop zone, no wins in 6 after the Zola fireworks had died down, owned by an Icelandic banker (or least a big invester in an Icelandic Bank) and of course the sword of damacles in the "Tevez affair" hanging over them. things could get really hairy.

Here's the latest on the Sheff U v Tevez v Hammers saga.

Thanks to The Sporting Life

TEVEZ DECISION ON HOLD

West Ham face a nervous wait before discovering whether their legal fight against Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair is finally over.

High Court Judge Nigel Teare will reserve judgment for several weeks before deciding whether to grant the Blades a permanent injunction preventing West Ham taking an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

The judge has told the clubs he will make a decision before Christmas.

Until that ruling there will be no attempt by either side to take the matter further with CAS.

Meanwhile, the independent arbitration panel under Lord Griffiths that found against West Ham in September has told the clubs that a decision on the level of damages will not be made before the middle of March next year.

Sheffield United are claiming up to £50million in compensation after the arbitration panel ruled that Tevez should not have been permitted to play in the final matches of the 2006-07 season, when the Argentina striker helped West Ham avoid relegation.

West Ham had argued that they had already been punished by the Premier League - they were fined £5.5million - and were merely following league instructions.

The arbitration panel decided however that the Hammers had not abided by their pledge to end all third-party agreements in relation to Tevez.

[devilsadvocate]

watch us get relegated this season, after watching Lucas Neill play more than 30 premier league games for the hammers i have to say he is the most over-rated player in the world, the sooner we get rid of him the better.

That's a touch harsh.

I propose:

Robbie 'I love the club, shed crocodile tears when we win a cup and am happy to play out my career, but will leave if a big 4 club comes knocking with a silly offer' Keane.
Milan Baros
John Terry
Tottenham's entire current side

[Dirko]

watch us get relegated this season, after watching Lucas Neill play more than 30 premier league games for the hammers i have to say he is the most over-rated player in the world, the sooner we get rid of him the better.

Bag the Captain !!

[whufc]

watch us get relegated this season, after watching Lucas Neill play more than 30 premier league games for the hammers i have to say he is the most over-rated player in the world, the sooner we get rid of him the better.

Bag the Captain !!

He may be captain in name but he doesn't lead the team like a captain, watch the Australia game tonight and i guarentee on more than one occasion Lucas Neill will jump in to early, make a bad tackle and then continue with non-stop abuse towards the referee.

And if i have to watch Lucas Neill do a danky little ten to fifteen metre pandsy chip with no pace on it, chest high into the strikers again im going to rip my hair out. At least whip the ball in for crying out loud or even better play a ball on the deck.

I really needed to get that of my chest i think, but yeah his ability to handle pressure is awful, he jumps in at the first sight of being beaten every single time.

I know he made no contact against Italy in the World Cup but he should never have put himself in that position, he just shat himself and at West Ham this season he has already given away 3 penalties for diving in and numerous free kicks on the edge of the box.

[johntheclaret]

How much worse can it get for the Hammers?

Thanks to the Daily Telegraph

Hammers cash crisis worsens

West Ham United's future has been cast further in doubt as the club's holding company Hansa has begun the process of administration.

Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has already been hit hard by the credit crunch, with the Icelander reportedly losing £230million of his fortune and this latest disaster could force him to sell the club.
Gudmundsson has suffered a further blow with another of his companies, Samson Holdings, also filing for administration.

Vice-chairman Asgeir Fridgeirsson confirmed that Hansa has 'started the process of administration' but added that it would have no day-to-day impact on West Ham.
He told the Daily Telegraph: "The issue has developed further, we believe there are plenty of assets in the company to take care of all the debts. It is likely that the company (Hansa) will be functioning. "One of the main assets is West Ham, he is still reviewing his options regarding his assets. This development is limiting his options."

West Ham's ownership situation is fairly complicated and although Hansa are the club's holding company, West Ham United Holdings Ltd and West Ham United plc all have a stake in the Hammers.
West Ham United plc are recognised as the member organisation by the Premier League, meaning that the possibility of a sporting sanction against the team would not be considered due to the financial issues of the holding company.

Fridgeirsson has re-assured Hammers fans and reminded everyone that Gudmundsson has invested heavily in the club since he took over. He said: "It is not affecting the operation of West Ham, there is no debt within West Ham from Hansa or vice-versa. He put £30million into the club last year, it is not a loan like some owners of clubs. It was paid in as equity. There is no money going from the club to the owner. It is fire-walled. The operation will go on - it is unaffected by this development."

The vice-chairman also re-iterated that manager Gianfranco Zola would not be forced to sell players to balance the books in the January transfer window. "The club is well funded for the remainder of the year. I am convinced that the club will go on no matter what. We are not going to sell players in order to settle debts of Hansa."

The club have already attracted interest from prospective buyers, with the Hammers valued at £150million.

[johntheclaret]

Ohhh...much, much worse.

Thanks to The Sporting Life

BLADES BOOSTED IN TEVEZ FIGHT

Sheffield United have won a High Court battle with West Ham in the Carlos Tevez saga.

Mr Justice Teare granted a temporary order stopping the Hammers appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a ruling that they had breached Premier League rules in signing the Argentinian.

This will allow the Blades to go ahead with their arbitration claim for damages over their relegation from the Premier League last season.

The court battle over whether the arbitration tribunal's findings can be appealed to the CAS is expected to return to the High Court for a full trial next year, when Sheffield United will be seeking a permanent injunction.

The South Yorkshire club are expected to claim up to £30million from the Hammers, but this will be assessed at a future arbitration hearing in private.

The Blades went to the High Court to stop West Ham appealing against the arbitration tribunal's findings that hiring Tevez was in breach of Premier League rules - and the South Yorkshire club were entitled to recover damages.

When West Ham filed an appeal from the arbitration decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, the Blades claimed this was a breach of the arbitration agreement between the clubs and that the CAS had no jurisdiction to hear such an appeal.

The judge granted Sheffield United's application for a temporary order restraining West Ham from taking any further steps to pursue an appeal or challenge the tribunal's findings other than by way of an application to the High Court.



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[Texas Rattlesnake]

Got a point at Anfield this morning and probably could have nicked it... IRONS!!!

[BALLHOG]

Got a point at Anfield this morning and probably could have nicked it... IRONS!!!

Great job by the Hammers, being a Devs supporter really helped us out.

[JK]

Was a very good performance by the Irons and they were full value for a point, as as mentioned previously could very easily have stolen all 3.

Liverpool lack the imagination and consistency of Chelsea and Man U (and even Arsenal most of the time) so any mob that visits and keeps their lines at the back are always a chance, and the Hammers did it perfectly, full marks to them.

[Texas Rattlesnake]

Was a very good performance by the Irons and they were full value for a point, as as mentioned previously could very easily have stolen all 3.

Liverpool lack the imagination and consistency of Chelsea and Man U (and even Arsenal most of the time) so any mob that visits and keeps their lines at the back are always a chance, and the Hammers did it perfectly, full marks to them.

the pool were booed off...bahahaha

[JK]

the pool were booed off...bahahaha

Thats alright, your mob normally get booed on

[RoosterMarty]

Brilliant stuff by West Ham.

[JK]

LOL Shutup Martin