New Probe Into Tevez’s West Ham Deal

The Premier League and The Football Association are launching a new inquiry into West Ham’s dealings with Carlos Tevez’s representatives as the saga over the striker’s transfer rolls on.

West Ham were fined £5.5m in April 2007 by the Premier League for breaking rules over third-party agreements while an independent tribunal later ruled that Tevez was ineligible to play for the team in the 2006-07 season.

Following the tribunal, chaired by Lord Griffiths, Sheffield United lodged a compensation claim of up to £50m after they were relegated when the Premier League’s independent panel did not dock West Ham points over the affair.

This compensation claim has been supported by a further independent tribunal although West Ham are attempting to appeal against the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In light of the decision to launch a joint FA and Premier League probe specifically into the dealings with Tevez’s agents, the governing bodies’ statement read: ‘The joint inquiry will examine whether the conduct of West Ham United immediately after the independent disciplinary commission’s decision of 27 April 2007 amounted to further breaches of Premier League or FA rules.’

The key point to be investigated is the evidence provided to the tribunal by lawyer Graham Shear, solicitor for Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian.

Shear said that chief executive Scott Duxbury had provided verbal assurances that the third-party agreement still existed – despite the Hammers chief having informed the Premier League that the deal had been terminated.

Griffiths said in his findings: ‘If the Premier League had known what Mr Duxbury for West Ham was saying to Mr Joorabchian’s solicitor following the commission decision, we are confident that the Premier League would have suspended Mr Tevez’s registration as a West Ham player.

‘We have no doubt that the services of Tevez were worth at least three points to West Ham over the season and were what made the difference between West Ham remaining in the Premiership and being relegated at the end of the season.’

After being told the agreement had been terminated, the Premier League had then allowed Tevez to play for West Ham in the crucial relegation battle that led to Sheffield United’s eventual drop out of the top flight.

The inquiry means West Ham or individuals could face further disciplinary action but the club say they have nothing to hide from the new inquiry.

A club statement said: ‘West Ham United will co-operate fully with the joint inquiry convened by the FA and Premier League.

‘We have acted in good faith throughout the various inquiries and investigations into this matter and fulfilled the undertakings given to the Premier League following the initial penalty.

‘We have nothing to hide and will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to the FA and Premier League.’