Blades face compensation delay

Tevez affair set to rumble on

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 1st October 2008

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Sheffield United's compensation claim over the Carlos Tevez affair looks set to run into the New Year.

With West Ham set to challenge the arbitration ruling which ordered them to pay substantial damages to the Blades, the case shows no sign of reaching a conclusion.

The Hammers are due to submit a claim to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday, asking them to rule on the case.

The Upton Park club are also considering High Court action in an attempt to prevent a possible £30million package being paid to Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, Lord Griffiths, the law lord who headed the initial arbitration hearing, has agreed to postpone a direction hearing in which a timetable for payment was set to be presented to West Ham after the Hammers called for a postponement.

It is now expected to be February 2009 before a decision is reached, and even longer if the CAS or High Court get involved.

However, if Sheffield United refuse to give their backing for the CAS to arbitrate in the matter then that substantially decreases the prospect of that court agreeing to take the case.

Implications

As a result, West Ham have called on the Blades to allow the investigation to be taken to the CAS.

A spokesman for the club said: "We do believe that the arbitration panel's ruling needs to be reviewed by a court which can help resolve the outstanding issues in this case.

"This is not about the issue of damages - the current ruling has major implications for English football.

"West Ham will continue to look at the available options for further action and we do believe that Sheffield United should join us in a hearing at the Court of Arbitration."

Sheffield United previously failed in two independent appeals against the Premier League and a High Court action before winning the independent arbitration ruling in September.

They remain determined to see justice done, but club chairman Kevin McCabe has refused to comment on West Ham's latest request.

"If that is what they are saying, then that's their prerogative. We will not be commenting," he said.