Source: Daily_Mail
Leyton Orient threaten legal action over West Ham move
Protest: Leyton Orient are outraged by West Ham's proposed move[LNB] Leyton Orient have threatened to sue the Premier League for tens of millions of pounds in damages if they do not reconsider their decision to allow West Ham to move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.[LNB]Orient believe that if West Ham move to the stadium, which is within a mile of their Brisbane Road home, then they will lose up to ?1.5million a year.[LNB]Chairman Barry Hearn has repeatedly expressed his frustration and anger at how Orient have been treated and now the club have issued a nine-page document outlining their argument to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.[LNB]Orient, who travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in an FA Cup fifth-round replay tonight, argue that the Premier League have undermined their own rules by giving West Ham the green light to move after London 2012.[LNB]In the Premier League rules section 6.5 of rule 1 states that a club may only move location provided the move 'would not adversely affect clubs having their registered grounds in the immediate vicinity of the proposed location'.[LNB]The club have threatened High Court action if the decision is not either reversed or better explained by March 8.[LNB]The main concern for Orient's board is that West Ham's plan to sell tickets at drastically low prices will lure fans away from Brisbane Road and seriously jeopardise the long-term future of the club.[LNB] Legal action: Chairman Barry Hearn (right) has threatened to sue the Premier League[LNB] The League One club are represented by top sports law firm Mishcon de Reya and have already written to London Mayor Boris Johnson, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government in search of support for their case.[LNB]A 10-page document was sent last Friday, with copies also going to West Ham and to the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Now, Orient have turned their sights on the Premier League.[LNB]The club are confident they have a strong case - watch this space.[LNB] Leyton Orient receive council backing over move to Eton Manor Olympic siteStoke have no regrets over turning down the opportunity to sign BaAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Boris Johnson, Barry Hearn, Jeremy Hunt Places: London, Olympic Stadium
