McCabe seeks justice
13 Jun 2007 - 09:19:01
Sheffield United will turn to the European Commission to seek compensation if an independent arbitration panel rejects their bid to overturn their relegation from the Premier League.
The Blades' plc chairman Kevin McCabe remains furious that West Ham United escaped a points deduction following their controversial signings of Argentinian duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
A supporters' delegation headed to Parliament on Wednesday to put their argument forward and McCabe told BBC Radio Five Live: "The reality is that there was an injustice committed and as a result Sheffield United were relegated from the Premiership in the season that's just finished.
"The reason is simple - one club breached the rules, were permitted to play two Argentinians until January and one thereafter.
"The commission did say very clearly when they opined that normally points should be deducted but, because it was the end of April and not January, would reconsider and maybe just fine West Ham. The committee got it wrong. The arbitration will get it right come Monday.
"If the arbitration were to go against us on Monday, we recognise that we're relegated to the Championship.
"But I wouldn't say that's the end of the issue. We have on Friday a trip to Brussels to meet the European Commissioner for culture and sport, Jan Figel, so we're making our presentation there this week.
"But I don't believe the arbitration will go against us at all.
"We'll go to the European Commission for them to opine. We believe we have maybe got a human-rights issue because of the loss of jobs that has been established if we are relegated, the salaries that are reduced because of going from the Premiership to the Championship and those sort of issues.
"The real key is the arbitration, to right the wrong of the injustice that was caused by the first decision. We didn't field ineligible players."
