Blades delight as Hammers lose Tevez ruling

West Ham are taking legal advice after an independent arbitration panel ruled against them in the Carlos Tevez affair.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe yesterday claimed victory after a 16-month battle for compensation following their relegation from the Premier League in 2007.

West Ham survived at the expense of the Blades, chiefly through the performances of star player Tevez, whose registration breached league rules on third-party ownership.

The London club were fined £5.5m at the time but not deducted any points and the Blades feel they have paid the heavier price.

The panel are yet to determine the size of the payout, although a figure of up to £30m has been suggested.

A statement released by the Hammers read: “The club need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult lawyers before considering the next steps that we might take on this matter. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Neil Warnock was in charge of Sheffield United at the time but later left Bramall Lane after the club were relegated.

Warnock – now Crystal Palace boss – believes the money is a poor substitute for the future his side could have enjoyed in the Premier League.

However, he told Sky Sports News: “It’s a matter for justice and I think everyone in the country knows this is the right verdict.

“They (United) have only claimed for one season (in lost revenues) and what they would have missed out on on the field and off the field.

“That’s what it comes to in today’s game. It’s not an awful lot at the top level... it’s one good player.

“This justifies what Kevin McCabe has said all along: that we were hard done by, that it wasn’t done legally and we were fighting for our rights.

“It’s the principle of the whole thing. We were appalled by the original verdict.”