Hammers hearing panel appointed

The Premier League have appointed a three-man panel to hear charges against West Ham over the signings of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

An independent commission comprising chairman Simon Bourne-Arton QC, Lord Herman Ouseley – chairman of the Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football lobby group - and David Dent will sit on April 26 and 27 to decide the Hammers’ fate.

West Ham are charged with being in breach of Premier League rules U.18 and B.13 in relation to the registering of the Argentinians last August.

The commission must decide whether the London club breached Premier League regulations by signing players part owned by Media Sports Investment.

Under rule U.18, ownership of players by third parties who might be able to influence a club is forbidden.

Rule B.13 states all clubs must act “with the utmost good faith” towards the league and other clubs.