Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Tevez camp denies stalling joint probe
The £25million settlement agreed between West Ham and Sheffield United over theCarlos Tevez affair has further kindled the long running controversy.Sources close to the ongoing joint Premier League and FA investigation have revealed that Premier League officials are claiming the Tevez camp duo of lawyer Graham Shear and football wheeler-dealer Kia Joorabchian are not as yet co-operating with their inquiries. Carlos Tevez scores against Manchester United in 2007 to relegate Sheffield UnitedIt is alleged that Shear, who acts for Joorabchian, who in turnrepresents Tevez, have not agreed to release documents or set a date tobe interviewed. More from Charles Sale. CHARLES SALE: Friendship goes out the window as Fergie snubs his pal from Sky16/03/09 Charles Sale: Sports minister pitches in over bookies' row13/03/09 McGuire exit rocks the players' union12/03/09 Charles Sale: C4 under starter's orders for change11/03/09 Charles Sale: Ruby ready with a personal salute10/03/09 CHARLES SALE: Premier League pair could be paying a Ranson01/03/09 Leeds legend Giles goes from a lead role to extra28/02/09 Dumb and Dumber host the bigwigs26/02/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEThe claims have infuriated Shear. His evidence to the Griffithsarbitration tribunal about verbal third-party ownership assurances fromWest Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury - 'oral cuddles' - after Duxburyhad told the Premier League the unsanctioned agreement had beenterminated is central to the PL/FA probe.Shear insists he is still part of an ongoing process with the football authorities.Joorabchian says he has received only one letter from the PremierLeague's lawyers, to which he replied that he was too busy to agree ameeting but would gladly help out in any way they wanted at a futuredate, as is still the case.Meanwhile, there is understandable angst on the Tevez side about thePremier League running an investigation into a saga in which the PLplayed such a pivotal role themselves. Compass have beaten rivals Sodexo by a short head to win one of the largest sporting contracts ever awarded - the £450million, 10-year catering deal for the 14 Jockey Clubracecourses. It is understood the final decision was swayed by Compass's broader experience on the operational side and their offer to invest bigger sums in improved facilities at the courses.It also helped Compass that the Cheltenham Festival showcase, at which they raised their game, came just before the decision was made. Former Charlton manager Alan Pardew has made an 'unconditional apology' for any offence caused by his unacceptable 'rape' comment on BBC's Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night to decribe the way Chelsea's Michael Essien had brushed aside a challenge from Manchester City's Ched Evans. Alan Pardew made his gaffe on the BBC's Match of the Day 2 on Sunday nightThe remark - training-ground vernacular - sparked 35 complaints from viewers to the BBC, who haven't ruled out using occasional pundit Pardew in future.The Beeb's lame excuse for presenter Adrian Chiles not apologising immediately on air was that neither he nor the programme editor heard what Pardew said, believing it to be 'rake'. Some of the Blackburn Rovers team, beaten 4-0 at Arsenal on Saturday, showed their feminine side during two days of relaxation at Champneys health spa in Tring.According to other guests, a number of players indulged in treatments not normally associated with your average footballer.These included eyebrows being plucked, facials such as a detoxifying seaweed wrap and a St Tropez fake tan. It is not known whether Blackburn's rugged-looking manager Sam Allardyce, who slept in the resort's £758-a-night Princess Suite, was one of those queueing for beauty treatments. Gordon TaylorThe real reasons for the huge personal fall-out with Professional Footballers' Association overlord Gordon Taylor that led to the departure of his loyal deputy chief executive Mick McGuire have still to emerge.But it is known that McGuire, whose annual salary was around £100,000, wasn't happy - having been promised the top job - that Taylor, 64, intends to carry on in his £1million-a-year job for another five years.It is also clear that McGuire never got on with Taylor quite as well as their united public face suggested.Regrettably, the Premier League, who bankroll the PFA with £17m a year of TV rights cash even though their millionaire members are more than capable of financing the union, will not be seeking an explanation.The PL lay down ground rules as to how their money is spent but will not interfere with the way Taylor runs his private fiefdom