Sheffield United lose Tevez appeal

Sheffield United have lost their legal challenge against the Premier League after an arbitration panel dismissed their claim over the Carlos Tevez affair.

This is despite actor Sean Bean joining fans to make an appeal to Parliament for support for their bid to remain in the top flight.

The Blades had wanted the panel to order a new disciplinary commission to deal with the Hammers, who escaped with a record £5.5 million fine rather than a points deduction after breaching league rules over the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano last summer.

The men from Bramall Lane also lost another claim they made jointly with Fulham that the Premier League should have forced West Ham to de-register Tevez.

The arbitration panel said: "The tribunal have found in favour of the FA Premier League on both issues and dismissed the claims of Sheffield United FC and Fulham FC."

Seven goals in ten games from Tevez, including the crucial winner at champions Manchester United on the final day of the Premiership season, played a vital part in keeping the Hammers among English football's elite

The Blades' failure effectively ends their battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

The panel's ruling states: "Ian Mill QC [representing Sheffield United] mounted a strong attack on the legality of the decision and the tribunal had much sympathy for Sheffield United's grievances.

"However the tribunal had to apply the principles of judicial review and determine whether the decision was irrational or perverse.

"This is a very strict test and is very difficult to satisfy. It concluded that it was impossible for this tribunal to find that the decision was irrational or perverse."

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