West Ham in Relegation Escape
Decision Not to Deduct Points Helps their Fight to Avoid Relegation
The decision to fine West Ham United £5.5 million rather than impose a points deduction has greatly assisted them in their fight against relegation from the Premiership.
West Ham United - the Board of Directors, manager, players and especially the fans will have given a collective sigh of relief at the decision to impose a £5.5 million fine on the club over charges of transfer irregularities surrounding their signing of the Argentinian players, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. With the club already deep in relegation trouble a deduction of points at this late point of the season would have sealed their fate.
The problems arose following the signing of Tevez and Mascherano from the Brazilian side, Corinthians, last August. The players were part owned by Sports Media Investment, and West Ham were charged with fielding ineligible players and of withholdng relevant documents. The transfer deals were completed by the former Chairman and the club have been accused of breaking the rule which forbids the ownership of players by a third party. The administration at the time compounded the problem by failing to provide the appropriate documentation.
It has been widely acknowledged that West Ham would be found guilty - the uncertainty surrounded the severity of their punishment. The inquiry which took place yesterday lasted only a few hours rather than the two days which had been set aside for it.
West Ham's case was assisted by their guilty plea and by the fact that the transfers had been completed by the previous regime and these officials have now left the club which is under the control of the new owner and chairman, Eggert Magnusson. They also made a case that any points deduction now would have a detrimental effect on their chances of avoiding relegation whereas if it had been imposed earlier in the season, the players would have had a chance to re-coup the lost ground.
The fine imposed on the club is the highest ever handed out, well in excess of the £1.5m imposed on Tottenham Hotspur in 1994 for financial irregularities.
One of the restrictions imposed on West Ham was that the Premier League would terminate Carlos Tevez's contract as a player. Mascherano has already left the club and signed for Liverpool but Tevez has been very instrumental in West Ham's recent improvement in form and an inspiration to the team. This matter has now been resolved with West Ham moving quickly to make a new agreement and they have received the clearance which will allow Tevez to play against Wigan and to ensure his availability for the rest of the season.
West Ham are currently in 19th position in the Premiership, three points from safety. Tomorrow they face one of the teams directly above them and deeply involved in the relegation struggle. Over recent weeks while West Ham's position has improved with wins over Arsenal and Everton, their opponents tomorrow, Wigan Athletic have slowly slipped into the relegation dog-fight. Whichever team wins this game will take a huge step towards easing their relegation fears, while condemning their opponents to a few more weeks of worry and uncertainty.
The other relegation matches this weekend involve Fulham at Arsenal on Sunday, Sheffield United at home to relegated Watford and Charlton Athletic travelling to Blackburn. Of those games Sheffield will be hoping for three points which would give their chances of avoiding the drop a great boost. Fulham will be apprehensive of their chances at the Emirates Stadium although Charlton Athletic will be reasonably optimistic of getting something from their visit to Blackburn Rovers.
Nothing will be settled tomorrow but some clubs might be able to breathe a little easier if they can achieve a vital win while others will have deeper worry lines across their brow if results are less favourable.
