2006

August 31: West Ham United 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.

2007

January 31: 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.

April 26: A hearing into the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano begins.

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 Tevez can be terminated by the FA Premier League" but Tevez is later cleared to play on for the Hammers.

May 4: Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic send a letter to Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, confirming they are "separately in the process of obtaining legal advice arising out of the terms of the decision".

May 13: Tevez scores the winning goal in 1-0 defeat to 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. Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore send a six-page letter to all 20 club chairmen defending the decision.