West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Hammers back CAS hearing

24 Jul 2007 - 16:54:06

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West Ham United say they are happy to take the Carlos Tevez case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, after FIFA decided not to make the final decision on the matter.

The Hammers are seeking to ensure that Tevez's probable move to Manchester United is done by the book, after earlier problems over the registration of the South American striker.

A brief statement from the Upton Park club read: "We are happy for the matter to go to CAS, if it is with the agreement of all parties."

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren had earlier confirmed: "The recommendation from FIFA to the FA and the Premier League is to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"Under the circumstances it was felt it would be in the best interest of all parties to take this course. It looks like being the fastest way of resolving this matter.

"It is not a refusal by FIFA to get involved, quite the contrary. It is a recommendation by FIFA to opt for this way."

A Premier League spokesman added: "The Premier League and FA are grateful to FIFA for considering this issue.

"We are supportive of the recommendation that, if all parties are in agreement, the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

World football's governing body made their recommendation after talks with both the English FA and the Premier League on Monday, with the Hammers claiming that they own all rights to Tevez after they terminated a third-party agreement with the South American's agent, Kia Joorabchian.

However, Joorabchian claims he still owns the Argentinian's economic rights and is entitled to any transfer fee paid, although the Premier League insist that the Hammers should receive most of the moneys.

Manchester United will not be involved at any CAS hearing as they are judged not to be a party with a direct interest in the proceedings.