Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / WEST HAM
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

16:49 GMT, Thursday, 8 January 2009

Fresh inquiry into Tevez affair

Carlos Tevez

The Premier League and the Football Association are to launch a fresh inquiry into the conduct of West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The new joint investigation will look into the London club's dealings with Tevez's representatives.

The Hammers were fined £5.5m in April 2007 by the Premier League for breaking rules over third-party agreements.

An independent tribunal later ruled that Tevez was ineligible to play for West Ham 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.

The joint FA and Premier League statement said: "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."

606: DEBATE
Give your reaction to the decision

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 the Hammers in the crucial relegation battle that led to Sheffield United's eventual drop out of the top flight.

"We have nothing to hide and will ensure that this is once again reflected in our evidence to the FA and Premier League"
West Ham statement

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."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

West Ham suffer new Tevez setback (26 Nov 08 |  West Ham )
West Ham appeal to CAS over Tevez (15 Oct 08 |  Football )
West Ham suffer Tevez appeal blow (26 Sep 08 |  Football )
Tevez tribunal decision explained (24 Sep 08 |  Premier League )
Blades seek Hammers compensation (16 Aug 07 |  Sheff Utd )
Blades lose appeal on relegation (03 Jul 07 |  Premier League )
West Ham not to appeal over fine (09 May 07 |  West Ham )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Sheffield United official website
West Ham official website
High Court court list
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©