Hammers suffer setback in Tevez saga
Mr Justice Teare yesterday granted a temporary injunction stopping West Ham appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a ruling that it had breached Premier League rules in playing the Argentina striker.
The Hammers have lodged an appeal against the judge’s decision, and the matter will return to the High Court for a full trial next year when Sheffield United will be seeking a permanent injunction.
The court case stems from an independent arbitration tribunal’s ruling that Tevez was not eligible to play for West Ham at the end of the 2006-07 season.
The striker, who now plays for Manchester United, was deemed to have played a key part in the London club’s Premier League survival as the Blades were relegated.
The South Yorkshire club are expected to claim up to £30 million (€35.6m) from the Hammers, but this will be assessed at a future arbitration hearing in private.
The Blades went to the High Court to stop West Ham from appealing against the arbitration tribunal’s findings that hiring Tevez was in breach of Premier League rules and the Blades were entitled to recover damages.
The judge granted Sheffield United’s application for a temporary order restraining West Ham from taking any further steps to pursue an appeal or challenge the tribunal’s findings other than by way of an application to the High Court.
Meanwhile, Tevez’s Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo is “big enough” to rise above tough challenges and the baiting of rival supporters.
Alex Ferguson complained after the 0-0 draw against Villarreal on Tuesday that Ronaldo was a victim of systematic fouling.
Joan Capdevila was sent off seven minutes from time on Tuesday night for a high challenge which left stud marks above the winger’s knee.
Ronaldo had been doubtful for the match after suffering cuts to his ankle in the draw against Aston Villa at the weekend.
He nursed his bruises over the weekend and then made a surprise return to training where he pleaded with Ferguson that he should play.
Ronaldo then had to endure a constant barrage of taunts from the crowd at El Madrigal.
But Rooney insists his team-mate will carry on playing his normal game.
“He is a high-profile player and wherever he goes he is always going to get this kind of treatment,” said the England striker. “He is big enough to deal with it.”
Having secured qualification for the knockout stages with one match to spare, United’s next test is the derby against Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday and Rooney is aiming to rediscover his scoring touch.
“I hope so,” he added. “The derby is a big game for us and we are all looking forward to it.”
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