Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham's Benni McCarthy takes £1.5m pay-off to end nightmare
Benni McCarthy will walk away with ?1.5million after agreeing to terminate his contract with West Ham. [LNB]The striker made just 14 appearances and failed to score a goal after his ?2.2m move from Blackburn Rovers in January last year. [LNB] Down and out: McCarthy's woeful spell in east London has come to an end[LNB]The South African, 33, would have received a further ?2.3m if he hadopted to sit out his ?38,000-a-week contract until it expired in June2012.[LNB]A statement on the club website read: 'West Ham United have mutually agreed with Benni McCarthy to part company with immediate effect. [LNB]Flop: McCarthy failed to score in 14 appearances [LNB]'The club would like to wish Benni the best for the future.'[LNB]West Ham tried to send him out on loan in January but Championship sides were put off by his high wages. He was fined ?200,000 after failing to adhere to a weight-loss regime and was left out of Avram Grant's 25-man Premier League squad. [LNB]Meanwhile, Carlton Cole is to contest his FA charge for improper conduct following his Twitter 'race' jokes. [LNB]The West Ham striker has until 6pm tonight to respond to the charge for comments during England's friendly against Ghana that some people complained were racist. [LNB]He tweeted: 'Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha.' [LNB]Sources close to Cole last night claimed the centre forward would respond before this evening's deadline. West Ham officials have reminded Hammers players of their responsibilities when they use Twitter and other social networking websites. [LNB]West Ham co-owner David Gold is planning to watch their home game against Aston Villa on Saturday, his first outing to Upton Park since he recovered from cholangitis and septicaemia. PFA nominee Charlie Adam backs West Ham's Scott Parker for Player of the Year awardDon't worry West Ham fans... Grant insists three more wins will beat dropWest Ham were told to show fight... then Noble and Green went toe-to-toe All the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Carlton Cole, Benni McCarthy, David Gold Places: United Kingdom, Ghana
