Joorabchian takes Tevez case to High Court

Carlos Tevez’s representative Kia Joorabchian is taking his fight over the player’s ownership rights to the High Court.

A writ has been served on West Ham’s solicitors by lawyers acting on behalf of Joorabchian’s companies MSI and Just Sports Inc.

Manchester United have made no secret of the fact they want the Argentina striker on board and have been left frustrated at the ongoing saga, which yesterday seemed set to end up in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport prior to news that Joorabchian would take the case to the High Court.

Solicitor Graham Shear of lawyers Teacher Stern Selby said in a statement: “I can confirm the companies (MSI and Just Sports Inc) have begun High Court proceedings against West Ham.

“A High Court writ has been served on the football club’s solicitors. The companies seek the court’s intervention to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.

“We are asking the court to intervene so that Carlos Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible.”

West Ham last night released the following statement in response to the High Court writ.

“West Ham United is led to believe that MSI and Just Sports Inc. have issued a writ against the club (yesterday) evening, although we are yet to receive this officially.

“We will liaise with our lawyers and a further statement will be made when appropriate.”

Tevez is registered as West Ham’s player but Joorabchian claims he owns the player’s economic rights and is therefore entitled to any transfer fee, which is at odds with the Premier League’s stance – they believe any transfer fee should be paid to West Ham.

When an independent inquiry set up by the Premier League reached their verdict on Tevez three games before the end of the 2006-07 season, the league offered West Ham three alternatives; amending the third party agreement, letting the player leave with immediate effect or unilaterally ripping up the third party agreement.

West Ham chose the latter option which effectively allowed Tevez to play the remainder of the campaign but also came with a stern warning from the league.

The Hammers were told their “ownership” of Tevez would be monitored and under no circumstances would the Hammers be allowed to extricate themselves from the situation once the season reached the conclusion.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “The options were sound. They chose the option they chose.

“It has made life difficult for them, and, in a way, us, by choosing the option they did. But that is the option they chose. They could have gone a different way.

“For eight months now, we have been trying to resolve this issue as well as keeping the rule book intact. It is quite difficult.”

FIFA came to their decision about CAS ruling on the dispute following a high level meeting with FA and Premier League officials in Zurich on Monday.

In a statement a Premier League spokesman said: “The Premier League and FA are grateful to FIFA for considering this issue. We are supportive of the recommendation that if all parties are in agreement the matter should be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”