Fifa to step in on Tevez deal

World football's governing body Fifa is being asked to arbitrate on Carlos Tevez's complicated transfer from West Ham United to Manchester United.

A special 'Dispute Resolution Chamber' is to be set up, possibly within a fortnight, to effectively determine who currently owns the 23-year-old Argentina striker, the Hammers or his adviser Kia Joorabchian.

Red Devils chief executive David Gill said: "There has been a lot of discussions over the last few days between Manchester United, West Ham and the Premier League but the case will probably go before Fifa's Dispute Resolution Chamber.

"We are very confident this will be resolved in favour of the player and he will be free to achieve his wish of joining Manchester United."

West Ham have asked for Fifa intervention through the Premier League with a spokesman saying: "It now makes sense for this to be dealt with by Fifa.

"All parties agree this is the best way forward and of course we will be involved in helping this be resolved as quickly as possible."

Tevez had been due in Manchester for a medical but with West Ham unwilling to give formal permission those plans have had to be put on hold.

The nine-times Premiership champions will be hoping that they can seal a deal for Tevez before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August.

Gill added: "Hopefully the case will be heard on an expedited basis but we are not sure whether we will have him signed in time for the new season.

"It may take up to two weeks for the body to be formed, all the paperwork has to be put together and then the case has to be heard.

"Even given that timetable we hope by the time the new season kicks off, Carlos will be training at Carrington."

Earlier this week, Gill had suggested the whole saga had become "over-complicated".

However, it now looks like becoming even more problematic, with Sheffield United no doubt keenly interested in how the matter is eventually resolved given Tevez played such a huge role in sending them down.

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