August 31, 2006: West Ham pull off a major coup by signing Carlos Tevez and his Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano, whose contracts were previously held by Kia Joorabchian's MSI company.

January 31, 2007: Mascherano signs for Liverpool.

March 2: West Ham are charged by the Premier League for breaching their rules in relation to the signings of Tevez and Mascherano.

April 4: A three-man panel is appointed by the Premier League to investigate the signings of Tevez and Mascherano.

BACKGROUND

• Plot thickens in Tevez wrangle

• Tevez celebrates escape

• Contract row threatens Tevez place

• West Ham charged over duo

BACKGROUND

• Just who does own the rights to Tevez?

• Moral ground crumbles under McCabe

• More questions than answers about MSI

• Interfering with Corinthians spirit

West Ham legal issue sets perilous precedent

Ruling of Lord Griffiths on Carlos Tevez could lead to all kinds of recriminations, with opinions becoming hard facts

• Forget Tevez - loan system leaves game open to abuse

• It was Tevez's third party so cry if you want to, but a solution would be better

Multimedia

• West Ham Fanzone: let's look at the evidence

• Is ruling rough justice on West Ham?

Related Links

• Analysis: Gary Jacob

• West Ham look to reduce Tevez compensation

• West Ham vow to fight on in Tevez saga

April 27: West Ham are fined £5.5million but spared a points deduction after pleading guilty to breaking Premier League rules. The verdict also rules "the registration of Carlos Tevez can be terminated by the FA Premier League" but Tevez is later cleared to play on for the Hammers.

May 13: Tevez scores the winning goal in 1-0 victory over Manchester United which ensures West Ham avoid relegation.

May 15: FIFA say they will investigate Premier League ruling.

May 16: Sheffield United file "arbitration proceedings" against the Premier League in a bid to overturn the decision not to deduct points from West Ham.

May 22: The Premier League agree to set up an arbitration tribunal to rule on Sheffield United's complaints over the affair.

June 2: Premier League chairmen agree a new rule forcing clubs to disclose every document connected to player transfers to improve "clarity".

July 3: Sheffield United lose their legal challenge against the Premier League after an arbitration panel dismiss their claim over the Tevez affair.

July 4: The Blades investigate the possibility of a High Court appeal, on the basis that the arbitration panel made an "error in law" in not referring the Tevez case back to the original independent three-man panel which fined West Ham in May.

July 6: Tevez agrees personal terms with Manchester United. The deal is held up as the Premier League insist proceeds of the deal must go to West Ham and not to Joorabchian or MSI.

July 11: West Ham reject an official request from Tevez to cancel his contract with the club.

July 13: Following a private hearing at the High Court, Sheffield United's attempt to gain leave to appeal the arbitration panel's decision is refused.

July 18: Manchester United chief executive David Gill announces the club will ask Fifa to arbitrate on the Carlos Tevez transfer.

July 24: Fifa recommend case to be referred to Court of Arbitration for Sport after deciding not to become involved. However, Joorabchian opts to issue High Court proceedings against West Ham.

August 1: Newspaper reports claim a document was produced in the High Court showing West Ham agreed to Tevez's third-party ownership after the Icelandic takeover, although the club question its authenticity.

August 3: West Ham confirm they have reached a £2million settlement with Carlos Tevez's representatives which will allow the Argentinian to leave the club for United.

August 10: Tevez is confirmed as a United player.

August 16: Sheffield United announce their intention to sue West Ham for cost of relegation from Premier League. West Ham describe the action as "desperate".

September 23, 2008: An independent arbitration hearing rules in favour of Sheffield United in their claim for compensation from West Ham.

January 8, 2009: The Premier League and the Football Association announce they will launch a fresh inquiry into the conduct of West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.