Hammers consider legal steps

Updated 09.25 Wed Sep 24 2008

Keywords: carlos tevez, championship, sheffield united, premier league, west ham united, sport, football

West Ham are taking legal advice over an arbitration panel ruling that could cost the club millions.

An FA tribunal has ruled Sheffield United are entitled to compensation because West Ham broke transfer rules in signing Carlos Tevez and the Argentina international was part of the team that avoided relegation in 2007.

"The club will consult lawyers before considering the next steps" - West Ham United

Sheffield United were relegated on the last day of the 2006/07 season and failed in a legal attempt to stay in the Premier League but they want £30 million to cover the funds they missed out on by playing the Championship.

A West Ham statement read: "The club need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult lawyers before considering the next steps that we might take on this matter. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

The exact figure West Ham will pay has yet to be decided, but it seems the club may not be able to appeal against the decision because they agreed to the tribunal.

The clubs are likely to negotiate a suitable figure, but the level of compensation could be decided in court.