FA TO ARBITRATE ON TEVEZ TRANSFER?

Last updated : 11 July 2007 By Editor

The Times:

The FA is expected to be asked to act as arbitrator to oversee Carlos Tévez's move to Manchester United. The transfer has reached an impasse because of the determination of the Premier League that West Ham United should receive most of the proceeds from his move.

However, Manchester United had expected to pay the money to Kia Joorabchian and the companies that had brought Tévez to England, Media Sports Investments and Just Sports Inc. The companies own the economic rights of Tévez, although his registration is owned by West Ham. The three parties believe they can reach a deal.

But there is a growing belief that the League has been intervening to protect its position. The League is concerned that if it is seen that West Ham do not receive the money from the transfer, it will appear that the third-party agreement between the club and Joorabchian for Tévez was not ripped up. West Ham were required to terminate that agreement after being found guilty of breaching league rules in his transfer. That would then provide Sheffield United, who were relegated to the Coca-Cola Championship in West Ham's place, with fresh ammunition to pursue their case against the League for not establishing whether the agreement was terminated.


The Guardian:

Manchester United's pursuit of Carlos Tevez edged closer to the courts last night after the Premier League rejected an attempt by MSI, the offshore company that brought the player to the Premiership, to cancel his registration with West Ham United. The Premier League also rejected a personal letter from Tevez in which he notified them that he was terminating his contract with the London club.

The Premier League refused to allow both Tevez's letter and MSI's request on the grounds that it does not consider that MSI have any rights over the player's registration, having been informed by West Ham that the club has torn up its agreements with MSI. Last Thursday the league ruled that Tevez could not join Manchester United unless West Ham received any transfer fee in full.

The moves by MSI to free up the player to join United came as it emerged that the Old Trafford hierarchy has ruled out paying West Ham anything for the player as they do not consider that the London club are his owners.

United's position, established after talks with MSI, who own Tevez's commercial rights, directly contradicts the Premier League's view. United are satisfied however that West Ham have no rights over Tevez and Old Trafford has been in negotiations with MSI's front man, Kia Joorabchian, over a two-year loan deal that would include a right to buy the player for a pre-arranged fee during that period. United also think that Tevez's registration will transfer to them as they believe that technically the Argentinian forward is a free-agent.

United's stance threatens to undermine the agreement reached between the Premier League and West Ham in April after the club was found guilty of breaking rules governing third-party agreements. On the morning after West Ham were fined £5m for breaching regulation U18 the Premier League board informed West Ham that Tevez could continue playing for them if the offending contract, between West Ham and MSI, was unilaterally terminated by the club.


PA:

A source close to the negotiations said: "Diplomatic moves are being made. We are in deadlock and we need an independent body to try and sort this mess out.

"The lawyers all agree Manchester United and Joorabchian are within their rights to do a deal - but the Premier League are saying they can't.

"The Premier League seem to have a vested interest now. They are covering their own backs after allowing West Ham to continue playing Tevez last season.

"Their whole argument is built on the premise West Ham tore up Tevez's contract and claimed to control the player.

"But any court in the land will tell you they cannot do that."