Aug 31, 2006 West Ham United sign Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano, the Argentina players whose registrations were held previously by Kia Joorabchian.

Jan 31, 2007 Mascherano signs for Liverpool, who check the Argentina midfield player's status with the Premier League, alerting the ruling body to contract irregularities.

March 2 West Ham are charged by the Premier League for breaching its rules over signings.

April 4 A three-man panel is appointed by the Premier League to investigate the signings.

Expert View

This ruling takes relegation issues away from the football pitch and back to the legal chamber

Martin Samuel

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April 26 The hearing begins.

April 27 West Ham are fined £5.5 million but are spared a points deduction. Tévez is cleared to play on for West Ham.

May 4 Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic send a letter to Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, confirming that they are “separately in the process of obtaining legal advice”.

May 13 Tévez scores in the 1-0 win over Manchester United. West Ham avoid relegation.

May 15 Fifa says that it will investigate the situation.

May 16 Sheffield United file “arbitration proceedings” against the Premier League in an attempt to overturn the decision not to deduct points from West Ham. May 22 The Premier League agrees to set up an arbitration tribunal to rule on Sheffield United's complaints.

June 2 The Premier League chairmen agree a new rule forcing clubs to disclose every document connected to player transfers.

June 18 On the first day of the hearing, Sheffield United call on Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, as first chief executive of the Premier League, to answer questions about when the rules were established.

June 19 At the conclusion of the hearing, Kevin McCabe, the Sheffield United plc chairman, says that a verdict is expected “by the end of the month, maybe sooner”.

July 3 Sheffield United lose their legal challenge against the Premier League after an arbitration panel dismisses their claim.

July 4 The club investigate the possibility of a High Court appeal, on the basis that the arbitration panel made an “error in law” in not referring the Tévez case back to the panel that fined West Ham.

July 6 Tévez agrees terms with Manchester United. The deal is held up because the Premier League insists that proceeds of the deal must go to West Ham rather than to Joorabchian.

July 11 West Ham reject a request from Tévez to cancel his contract. July 13 Sheffield United's attempt to appeal against the arbitration panel's decision is refused.

July 18 David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive, says that the club will ask Fifa to arbitrate.

July 24 Fifa refers case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Joorabchian issues High Court proceedings against West Ham.

Aug 3 West Ham reach £2 million settlement with Tévez's representatives that will allow him to leave club.

Aug 10 Tévez is confirmed as a Manchester United player.

Aug 16 Sheffield United announce intention to sue West Ham for the cost of relegation. West Ham describe the action as “desperate”.