Sheffield United Football Club News

• Nickname:The blades
• Founded:1889
• Manager:Danny Wilson

• Ground:Bramall Lane
• Capacity:30,945

Blades launch legal challenge

16 May 2007 - 17:10:34

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Sheffield United have launched a legal challenge aimed at overturning the Premier League's decision to fine and not dock West Ham points after being found guilty of breaking league rules over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The Blades have appointed International law firm Denton Wilde Sapte LLP to act on their behalf as they challenge the legality of the independent commission's decision to award only a £5.5million fine.

United are hoping their legal challenge will force the Premier League into holding a new disciplinary hearing which will also discuss the continued fielding of Tevez.

They have also called on the league to put on hold any plans for next season because they assume West Ham are a Premiership club and that Sheffield United have been relegated.

"Sheffield United is challenging the legality of the commission's decision to hand West Ham a fine rather than (as had been universally expected) docking West Ham points and cancelling the registration of Mr Tevez," read a club statement.

"Sheffield United will argue that the commission's decisions must meet, and in this case failed to meet, the same general obligations as those required of public bodies, namely to act lawfully, fairly and reasonably.

"Sheffield United also challenges the Premier League's conduct in failing to conduct an adequate investigation into the continued fielding of Tevez after the 27 April decision despite serious questions over his eligibility (which still remain unresolved), or to get sufficient evidence as to continuing third party influence over Tevez."