SOCCER:West Ham and Sheffield United have finally come to an agreement over the long-running Carlos Tevez affair, ending nearly two years of legal wrangling.
It is believed a settlement of between £10-£15million (€10.85-€16.35m) — to be paid over a five-year period — has been agreed by the clubs, with the Blades accepting significantly less than the £45m (€49m) they initially demanded.
That is the figure they believe represents the true cost of relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship — a fate they insist they would have avoided were it not for Tevez’ goals which helped keep the Hammers up.
The Argentina striker, now with Manchester United, moved to Upton Park at the start of the 2006/07 season with compatriot Javier Mascherano but West Ham were later fined £5.5m (€6m) by the Premier League for not disclosing the terms of their contracts.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, continued to pursue a private damages claim. The Hammers were originally willing to pay around £5m (€5.5m) but their case was damaged when Lord Griffiths, whose independent tribunal has now been disbanded following this morning’s agreement, favoured the Blades in his initial findings.
Precise details of the deal have not been made available but both sides have declared their happiness at resolving the matter.
“Both clubs are pleased to announce that a satisfactory settlement for compensation has been reached which brings the dispute between Sheffield United and West Ham United to an end,” West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury and United chairman Kevin McCabe said in a joint statement.
“For everyone concerned, the time was right to draw a line under this whole episode. We have had very positive discussions over a number of days with Sheffield United and acknowledge their willingness to resolve this in the best interests of both clubs.
“This now allows us to concentrate on our immediate ambitions, which include a strong finish to the Premier League season and possible European qualification, without any negative impact on our long-term project. We wish Sheffield United well in their bid to secure promotion from the Championship.”
McCabe added: “We are happy and satisfied with the settlement with West Ham. Throughout the finalization of the terms for the agreement, the discussions were friendly, co-operative and in the best of spirit with both the Blades and Hammers advisory teams.
“We are two clubs with a fantastic footballing history who now want to move on and focus on the business of playing football — hopefully for us against the Hammers in the Premier League next season. We look forward to a positive ongoing relationship with West Ham at all levels.”
News of the agreement will come as a boost to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola who has expressed his desire to focus on on-field tasks — something which has not been easy in a season disrupted not just by the Tevez saga but also the financial uncertainty over the club’s Icelandic owners.
Speaking before the deal was finalised, Zola said: “Once the agreement is reached it will be good because we can sit down and plan for the future, knowing exactly where we are and what we are dealing with.
“That will give us a clear picture for the future, and we can sit down and plan.”
A joint investigation by the Premier League and Football Association into the Tevez and Mascherano signings is ongoing.
