Support grows for West Ham challenge

Support for a legal challenge to West Ham’s escape from relegation appears to be growing after Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claimed Middlesbrough had joined the so-called ’Gang of Four’.

Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League yesterday on goal difference but the perceived injustice of the Hammers’ record £5.5m (€8m) fine instead of a points deduction for irregularities over the signings of Argentinians Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano is starting to rankle.

Whelan has given his full support to any legal challenge to the decision made by the Premier League’s independent commission and said his club, the Blades, Charlton and Fulham had been joined in their fight by Middlesbrough.

Reports this morning also suggest at least another two unnamed top-flight clubs are ready to join the movement.

“Charlton, Sheff United, Wigan, Fulham and Middlesbrough are all determined that we should get justice and West Ham should have been deducted points,” said Whelan, whose club survived at the expense of the Blades after winning 2-1 at Bramall Lane yesterday.

“It has to be done quickly because the longer this goes on the less likelihood of the league reviewing it at all.

“We are going to fight and support them and we will fight with them to the end.”

United’s plc chairman Kevin McCabe also told Radio Four’s Today programme he believed the groundswell of opinion was behind them.

“I think most of the Premier League clubs and other football clubs support us over this injustice that has come about this season,” he said.

“Four years ago the Blades had just lost in the (Championship) play-off final and I felt gutted. This time I feel cheated.

“I think there is a consensus most clubs support an injustice so I hope we will get the vast majority of clubs in the Premier League supporting our case.”