Sheffield takes legal steps in West Ham ruling

Sheffield United will try to overturn the West Ham fine decision via the arbitration process, by filing proceedings against the English Premier League.

This marks the first legal steps in the fight to have West Ham docked for points in its illegal transfer dealings. Sheffield wants a three-man tribunal set up to rule on the dispute.

The Premier League does not have to go through with the process. A league spokesman said they are "considering the request."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore wrote all 20 teams to gather support, saying Carlos Tevez, one of the two players illegally transferred, has been properly registered since August.

West Ham was fined GBP 5.5 million by an independent commission for having third-part agreements connected with Tevez's and Javier Mascherano's transfers last summer. But, when fined, the commission factored in the late stage of the season and fan reaction into its decision not to deduct points.

That, in turn, kept West Ham from being relegated. Sheffield was not as fortunate.

In a statement, Sheffield United said it wanted a new disciplinary hearing for West Ham, with the club's continued use of Tevez being factored, as well as a stay of sorts that would not assume that West Ham will be in the Premier League and Sheffield in the Championship.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe has even proposed expanding the league to 21 clubs next season in order to salvage the season for his club and West Ham.

Under the regulations, the three-man tribunal would be made up of one nominee from each side and a lawyer as chairman who is accepted by both parties. League rules state the decisions "are binding".

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.