Blades confident ahead of tribunal

Sheffield United chiefs are today attempting to overturn the club's relegation from the Premiership at a tribunal.

The Blades, who will put their case before the panel, insist West Ham should have been deducted points rather than being fined for breaching transfer regulations with the signings of Argentinian pair Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The Hammers were fined £2.5m (€3.7m) for signing contracts which allowed a third-party influence over the club, and £3m (€4.4m) for failing to inform the Premier League about it.

League chiefs are confident the arbitration panel will find they acted strictly according to their regulations in both the disciplinary case against West Ham and in regards to the registration of Tevez.

The Blades will pursue their claim that an independent commission should have deducted points from the Hammers and the league should have cancelled the striker's registration.

It is more likely, however, that should the Yorkshire club persuade the arbitration panel of their case they would be awarded a compensation payment rather than the commission's decision be overturned.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe, who met European Commissioner for culture and sport Jan Figel on Friday, remains confident of a result in their favour.

He said: "I think we are very confident of winning.

"We have a compelling case that's based upon an irrational decision given by the first independent commission that was set up. We would not have pursed going to arbitration unless we thought we would win."

McCabe said he estimates relegation from the Premiership will cost the club £50m (€73.9m), but insists the matter is one of principle and not profit.