Fifa's legal team are mulling over whether world football's governing body should step in and arbitrate in the Carlos Tevez affair.

It was agreed to take a considered view and not make a snap judgement following representation from the Football Association and the Premier League.

A meeting of the three organisations' legal teams in Zurich broke up this afternoon with the situation left unresolved.

It is unclear when Fifa will decide whether it should intervene but no announcement is expected tonight.

An FA spokesman said: "The meeting has taken place and left with Fifa to take a decision. We are waiting to hear from them and to see what they consider is the most appropriate way forward."

West Ham are eager for Fifa to get involved in what has become a stalemate in recent weeks, with the London club refusing to sanction the Argentina striker's proposed move to Manchester United.

Under normal circumstances, Fifa would only arbitrate in non-domestic transfer disputes but the thorny issue of Tevez's ownership prompted both clubs to ask for their help.

Tevez is registered as a West Ham player, but businessman Kia Joorabchian claims he owns the 23-year-old's economic rights and is therefore entitled to any transfer fee.

With the Premier League sticking to their position that the Hammers own the player and are therefore entitled to any transfer fee, a Fifa ruling in Joorabchian's favour would cause them huge embarrassment.

The time it takes to reach a conclusion could be crucial to Tevez's prospects of joining United this year.

There are fears the saga could drag on beyond the August 31st transfer deadline, precluding the striker moving to Old Trafford before the transfer window re-opens in January.

Should either party be unhappy with the outcome, there is also the possibility of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which would extend the process even further.