Sheffield United have won the latest legal round against West Ham United over the Carlos Tevez saga. A Football Association arbitration hearing ruled in the favor of United and now are seeking £30 million in compensation from West Ham.
During the 2006/2007 season, the Hammers fielded Carlos Tevez who was an ineligible player. The striker, now with Manchester United, was one of the key deciding factors in helping West Ham stay up that season and scored in the game against Man United at Old Trafford on the last day of the season.
At this stage, West Ham can either appeal and take the case to the Court of Arbitration Of Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Or they can pay the damages. If West Ham does take the case to Switzerland, their legal fees will skyrocket and the chances are slim that they would win the case.
In the meantime, a damages hearing will be scheduled to determine the amount of compensation West Ham will need to pay.
Depending on how severe the damages are, West Ham may be forced to sell several marquee players to pay the compensation. But, for West Ham, it’s karma for having cheated the system to play Tevez. Without Carlos Tevez playing for West Ham, the Hammers would have definitely been relegated and Sheffield United would have stayed up.
West Ham needs to face the consequences and pay for breaking the transfer rules, including withholding documentation, over the signing of Tevez.
