DAN KING: Olympic team will hammer out deal for West Ham United

07 November 2009 19:41
West Ham could still save the Olympic Stadium from being a white elephant by moving in after London 2012.[LNB]News that Intermarket, a group linked with an Upton Park takeover,met the Olympic Park Legacy Company to discuss options should be takenwith a pinch of salt as they are not regarded as serious contenders tobuy out the club's owners, Icelandic bank Straumur.[LNB] [LNB]Coming to an Olympic Stadium near you? West Ham's Zavon Hines[LNB]But the fact that a meeting took place shows the OPLC have an open mindabout the stadium's future use and may well sanction a change tocurrent plans, which would see the 80,000-seater venue reduced to a25,000-capacity arena. Anyone interested in buying West Ham would seeattractions in inheriting a modern facility, with 50,000 or so seats,surrounded by new housing and businesses, essentially at taxpayers'expense even if the stadium did come with an athletics track.[LNB]   More from Dan King... DAN KING: So who got the Alonso millions at Liverpool?24/10/09 DAN KING: Rosen gets the sort of sledging he appreciates - from Ewan McGregor's old mate!17/10/09 Plan to move 2012 Olympic badminton has made Gail Emms Barking mad 10/10/09 EXCLUSIVE: Portsmouth win at last but face new takeover crisis03/10/09 DAN KING: Now the FA needs to build on its plans at National Football Centre03/10/09 DAN KING: Court rules over former Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak26/09/09 FIFA to probe 15 transfers: Premier League furious after FA send on files19/09/09 DAN KING: Why Chelsea need to keep Peter Kenyon onside19/09/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE An OPLC spokesman said: 'We have met with this company (Intermarket) in the same way as we have met with many groups showing an interest in using the stadium.[LNB]'Hosting county Twenty20 cricket is one of many possible uses in addition to havingathletics as the core use. Nothing is ruled out and nothing is ruled in.'[LNB]CITY dealmaker Amanda Staveley and Dubai International Capital executive chairman Sameer Al Ansari may have missed out on buying Liverpool but they were first past the post in Kentucky on Friday night when their recently acquired horse, Man Of Iron, won the Breeders' Cup Marathon. [LNB]Sources believe no serious investors will ride to Liverpool's rescue if owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks offer only a minority stake of 30 per cent.[LNB]THE probe which has resulted in Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie being charged with tax evasion in relation to the signing of Amdy Faye in 2003 is not theonly police investigation involving English football.[LNB]Scotland Yard officers are assisting the Israeli authorities who are looking into the transfer of Tal Ben Haim from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Bolton in 2004, one of the 17 Premier League deals highlighted by the Quest Inquiry.[LNB]In July, unlicensed Israeli agent David Abou dropped his legal case against Ben Haim to recover commission he claimed he was owed from the transfer and the player ended his counter-claim of fraud and forgery.[LNB]But sources in Israel indicate Ministry of Justice officials remain in contact with their UK counterparts and Scotland Yard officers last week asked the FA to help the investigation by providing information about how the transfer system works.[LNB]And finally...THE inaugural 8Rocks event organised by the Dallaglio Foundation raised more than£600,000 for Cancer Research UK, with Prince Harry among the celebrity guests at Battersea Evolution. [LNB]The most popular sporting lot in the auction was a batting and bowling masterclass with Andrew Strauss and Shane Warne, which fetched £14,000. A training session for 25 children with England rugby manager Martin Johnson went for £8,000. If he has any more injuries, they may even get a game![LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:George Gillett, Tal Ben Haim, Peter Storrie, Andrew Strauss, Martin Johnson, Shane WarnePlaces:Liverpool, London, Israel, United Kingdom, Olympic StadiumOrganisations:Scotland Yard

Source: Daily_Mail