Bolton consider Tevez action

Gartside awaits outcome of Blades hearing

Last updated: 3rd October 2008

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Gartside: Considering options

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Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has admitted the Trotters could be the next club to launch action against West Ham in the Carlos Tevez affair.

Sheffield United are embroiled in a lengthy battle against the Hammers in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League in 2007, when Tevez played a key role in the Upton Park club's survival.

The Premier League found West Ham guilty of breaching league rules over the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, fining them £5.5million in April last year, but electing not to dock any points.

The Blades continued their fight and an independent FA tribunal recently ruled in their favour on the matter, with West Ham now facing a compensation bill reported to be in the region of £30million.

West Ham are planning to appeal the latest ruling, with Gartside admitting that he will watch the outcome of the case with interest.

Argument

Bolton were beaten by West Ham towards the end of the 2006/07 season, a result which Gartside claims affected their final standing in the table and the amount of prize money they received.

He told the Daily Mirror: "There is an argument to say we can claim three points from West Ham.

"We went down there and lost 3-1, Tevez scored two and it cost us £700,000 because that was one place in the league.

"If Sheffield United are successful and get a claim, then why shouldn't we?

"It will make two or three clubs look at it and say they have lost income."

Bolton finished the 2006/07 season in seventh place, two points adrift of Everton in sixth, but with a vastly inferior goal difference.