Yeah, me too. It's a grubby and dark affair. BOOOO.

Fiver, 27th April:

"As the independent Premier League commission said today: "[West Ham] knew that the only means by which they could acquire [the players] would be by entering into the third party contracts. Equally, they were aware that the FAPL, at the very least, may not - and in all probability would not - have approved of such contracts. They were determined to keep their existence from the FAPL."

By hiding this fact they broke yet another rule, B13, which demands that clubs act with "the utmost good faith" towards the authorities. And they would have got away with it too if Mascherano hadn't then moved to an honest club - Liverpool, who unwittingly exposing the Hammers' deceit by showing the league all the relevant documentation. Once rumbled, West Ham, who were by then under new ownership, admitted their guilt - and were today hit with a record £5.5m fine.

Crucially, however, they escaped a points deduction, which means they may still keep their lucrative place in the Premiership. And if they do survive, a club that didn't knowingly smuggle two internationals into the league will have to be demoted instead. Justice? Well, it is according to West Ham. "Promotion and relegation should be decided on the pitch", a club suit staggered, neglecting to add: "unless the pitch is full of players who've no right to be there".

True, today's hearing also decreed that Tevez can't play again for West Ham until a legitimate arrangement is made but that doesn't address the reality that the Hammers would surely already be down if the Argentinian goleador hadn't been excelling for them recently, weighing in with four goals, two assists and more energy and enthusiasm than the rest of the claret-and-blue-clad slackers put together. If they survive, his contribution will have been decisive. And bearing in mind that the new TV deal means that a place in next season's top flight is worth at least £30m, which is, by the Fiver's admittedly crude reckoning, a hell of a lot more than £5.5m, it's tempting to conclude that Gangsta' Fiver was right all along: crime pays."

Posted By: Arizona Bay on May 14th 2007 at 10:07:24

Message Thread

Blub blubbity blub (Other Football) - Stoopish, May 14, 09:54:09
- But he's right, isn't he? (Other Football) - Old Git, May 14, 09:57:21
  - or you could argue... (Other Football) - blindasabat, May 14, 10:06:23
    - but weren't they in trouble before they came? (Other Football) - megson, May 14, 10:17:15
      - according to Soccerbase they were signed on 31/8/07 (Other Football) - blindasabat, May 14, 10:25:11
        
        hmmm so no then (Other Football) - megson, May 14, 10:36:38
    - That's not really the point... (Other Football) - Brom, May 14, 10:09:06
      - i agree it's not the point, (Other Football) - blindasabat, May 14, 10:30:44
        
        I had that thought yesterday (Other Football) - megson, May 14, 10:38:06
      - Attention to detail. (Other Football) - Arizona Bay, May 14, 10:10:26
        
        Although technically the latter is the former's governing body. (Other Football) - yarmyyarmy, May 14, 10:21:47
        
        You won the tffo showdown (Other Football) - pants, May 14, 10:17:00
        
        Hurrah. (Other Football) - Arizona Bay, May 14, 10:22:10
        
        Yeah feel the same too, especially as it was a tenner this time (Other Football) - pants, May 14, 10:25:05
        
        Yes, sorry. Premier League (n/m) (Other Football) - Brom, May 14, 10:16:46
  - I notice Grant sticking up for his old club in the EDP today (Other Football) - Swiss Yellow, May 14, 10:04:49
  - it makes me sick (Other Football) - megson, May 14, 10:03:20
  - Yeah, I wanted West Ham down. (Other Football) - Stoopish, May 14, 10:03:10
  - Agreed. (n/m) (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, May 14, 10:02:19
    - Yeah, me too. It's a grubby and dark affair. BOOOO. (Other Football) - Arizona Bay, May 14, 10:07:24
      - The thing is though, it was clear to everyone that the deals were somewhat dodgy (Other Football) - BerlinCanary, May 14, 10:41:10
      - As I mentioned below, Mick Dennis was on the wireless recently (Other Football) - yarmyyarmy, May 14, 10:11:07
        
        ha ha. That's a good line. (n/m) (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, May 14, 10:14:26

Reply to Message

In order to add a post to the WotB Message Board you must be a registered WotB user.

If you are not yet registered then please visit the registration page. You should ensure that their browser is setup to accept cookies.