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Kia Joorabchian tonight confirmed that he has instigated court proceedings against West Ham United over the Carlos Tevez transfer affair.
Joorabchian - in the form of his companies MSI Group and Just Sports Incorporated - is believed to have issued a High Court writ for damages in relation to an alleged breach of contract by West Ham, his move coming just hours after Fifa recommended that the dispute should go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
With Joorabchian deciding to pursue this course of action there would be no need for CAS to adjudicate, even though the Hammers say they are happy to abide by Fifa's recommendation as are the Football Association and the Premier League. Manchester United are not involved in the process.
But Joorabchian has now forced the issue and feels that by bringing the matter to the High Court a clearer picture would emerge surrounding the furore and there would be a firmer and speedier conclusion than at CAS.
Solicitor Graham Shear of lawyers Teacher Stern Selby said in a statement: “I can confirm the companies [MSI and Just Sports Inc] have today begun High Court proceedings against West Ham.
“This afternoon a High Court writ was served on the football club’s solicitors. The companies seek the court’s intervention to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.
“We are asking the court to intervene so that Carlos Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible.”
West Ham were eager for Fifa to get involved in what has become a stalemate in recent weeks, with the London club refusing to sanction the Argentina striker's proposed move to Old Trafford.
Tevez is registered as their player, but Joorabchian claims he owns the 23-year-old's economic rights and is therefore entitled to his transfer fee.
The Premier League, however, say the Hammers own the player and therefore must receive any such fee.
Fifa came to their decision following a high level meeting with FA and Premier League officials in Zurich yesterday.
Their legal team considered the case overnight before recommending the Court of Arbitration for Sport rule on the matter.
Spokesmen Andreas Herren said: "Under the circumstances it was felt it would be in the best interest of all parties to take this course. It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this matter.
"It is not a refusal by Fifa to get involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation by Fifa to opt for this way."
Fifa's senior legal counsel has been in touch with the Football Association and the Premier League to advise them of their decision.
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At least there would now appear to be a chance that Sheffield United might get, if not justice, at least compensation from West ham and the Premier League.
Jonny, Lancashire,
I am a WHUFC fan and have been over 30 years, i am getting fed up with thew Tevez affair. Tevez took a while settling in and if if had not done what he did for WHUFC, noone would have wanted him and would have thought he was a flop, WHUFC took the gamble and now MUFC as usual always wants to poach the player. As history will tell, Carricks, lampards, Rio, cole, Ince, and many more they are all greedy for money, no loyalty, drive their flash cars while we get robbed for tickets to go and see our idols who dont even want to sign autographs. Have they forgotten who pay their wages. Some of these players cannot even last 90 mins as they get sent off. No loyalty in Football. The real supporters are of lower league not glory hunters sporting, Chelsea, Arsenal, Glory Man Utd. Tevez we Westham united have had enough of you .Hope he fails there.
bal sunners, aylesford, kent
Everyone seems to forget how these players arrived at WHU. They didn't arrive to be put in the shop window to sell on. They came here as part of a 2nd, yes 2nd attempt for MSI and undisclosed partners to buy WHU. MSI were previously warned off by the city watchdogs for failing to place funds in escrow to show the fudns were there for the takeover. Arriving with the 2 stars players put a totally different angle on the takeover offer. But once again, they failed to put the money up and were warned off in Jan 07 and then the new Iceland based group came in and took over. WHU signed him for four years. ManU are not even buying Tevez but repeating WHU's deal minus the offending third party ownership clause. This is a farce and WHU should not be punished when in the eyes of the law they have done nothing wrong. WHU are not intitled to receive a penny from any deal although with MSI's conduct, I would hope they and I hope WHU get back their fine & loan & Tevez goes abroad.
John Keane, Hornchurch, E
Yes it does seem that the EPL know that WHU duped them into accepting the paperwork in the Tevez case was now "all above board" Tevez then went one to virtually single handedly save West Ham from relegation and financial disaster - and instead of WHU going down it was Sheff U. From EPL's position I ask who in their right mind would believe that MSI would gift a 30 mill asset (Tevez) to West Ham - answer, only someone who is insane. Nobody dare move on this issue for fear of the huge recriminations. Thankfully I believe the High Court will cut through all this deceit and expose WHU & EPL for duplicity, niaivity, incompetence etc; and Tevez will go to Man U
Michael Lavender, Charente, France
This whole episode simply proves that the FA were foolish in thinking Tevez was a West Ham player. They cannot have done much work when auditing West Hams affairs. Sadly this is not much good to Sheffield U who should surely have stayed up whilst te Hammers should have been penalised at least 9 points for their behaviour.
The FA did not have the guts and do not have a clue.
Mark, London, UK
So...let's recap...if Tevez is a registered West Ham player ..then...Man U are guilty of approaching another team's player,a breach of the rules..ok...if Tevez is not a registered West Ham player then West Ham should not have been playing him after being fined...so they didn't comply with the premier league's request.& should have been deducted points and relegated..ok..catch 22 West Ham ...it looks like Tevez was not registered & Man U know this that's why KJ is taking legal action to get his money,not only this but it looks like the Premier League know Tevez is not registered & thats why every one in football's hierarchy are passing the problem round like a hot potato hoping the issue will go away..eventually some one's going to have to grasp the nettle then Sheffield United should get £50 million and at this late stage West Ham will start the new season with a points deficit.,now who'd like to comment on KJ...he's been accused of bribery,money laundering,etc...is this Tevezgate?
Geoff Warner, Sheffield, UK
Yes, it seems West Ham is gulity and FIFA are just passing the buck. The premier League seems to have bitten more they can chew!
Joe Lucas, London, Uk
Perhaps that childrens party game we all love should be renamed "pass the Tevez".
FIFa seems to have had a serious loss of backbone on the issue.
This is going to end up in the high court whatever the CAS decision, its too important for either KJ or the PL/WHU to lose.
This very boring soap opera will be running right up until the new year window or until KJ ends up in a Brazillian Prison..
barry, hornchurch, uk
Can someone who has legal knowledge give us a idea as to why FIFA has refer this case to the 'Arbitration of sport' is it West Ham is guilty.
Just Aking question
ra, coventry,