Tevez: Will He Be A United Player Before Transfer Deadline? …
Guardian: Manchester United face significant disruption to their preparations for the start of the season on August 11 after Fifa yesterday refused to give any indication of how quickly it could resolve the dispute over Carlos Tevez.
The world governing body’s “disputes resolution chamber” is set to be asked to pass judgment on the Argentinian’s contractual situation with West Ham in a case which is likely to be brought directly by Tevez against the club he helped save from relegation.
West Ham claim that Tevez is contracted to them until 2010, while the player’s representative, Kia Joorabchian, believes that there is no enforceable contract of employment.
The possible timeframe for any resolution raises serious doubt over whether Tevez will be available for the start of the season or, indeed, whether the deal can be completed before August 31, the end of the summer transfer window.
A Fifa spokesman yesterday admitted it was “impossible” to know when it would be resolved. “We can’t give any timeframe - it will depend on the complexity of the case. At this stage we have still not yet had a formal request. If time is of the essence it might be possible to throw it forward but first of all Fifa must decide if it is competent to act on the case.”
Fifa’s legal department is very busy with 16 case handlers each dealing with 60 cases at any time. Mick McGuire, an English board member of FIFPro, who represent cases that go to the disputes resolution chamber, said it could yet go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “It could drag on,” he said. “But Fifa make the regulations on transfer windows and know the timeframes. You can take it to CAS, and that would be the final appeal stage.”
United were yesterday optimistic about a swift resolution. Their chief executive David Gill hopes the case can be dealt with on an “expedited basis” and added: “I have spoken to Maurice Watkins [United’s solicitor] and he tells us that it can take two weeks to arrange for the body to form and papers on the case to be pulled together.
“We are very confident the issue will be resolved in favour of the player, however, and for him to achieve his and our wish to join United. Based on what we have seen and the discussions we have had, we are very confident it will go in Carlos Tevez’s favour and that he will be part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad next season.”
West Ham, United and the Premier League agreed after meeting on Tuesday that Fifa offered the best hope of a solution. All sides are understood to be hopeful of a resolution in the next month. After arriving in Manchester from Venezuela in the hope of taking his medical at United yesterday, Tevez will now take a holiday.
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Sun: WEST HAM were last night accused of making misleading statements over the Carlos Tevez affair.
Kia Joorabchian, who is trying to negotiate the Argie’s move to Manchester United, claimed the Hammers have failed to act upon “repeated promises and assurances” over the striker’s future.
And he insisted he will bring “the true circumstances” to the attention of FIFA and the FA.
In a report released by his lawyers, Joorabchian said: “Statements are wholly inconsistent with the real circumstances and the situation presented to us by West Ham concerning Carlos Tevez.
“West Ham have consistently provided private assurances while at the same time making contrary statements to the public.
“We can no longer allow these inconsistencies to continue unaddressed.
“Over the last six months West Ham have made repeated promises and assurances which they have not acted upon or performed.
“It is now time for these inconsistencies to be brought to an end. We see no alternative but to bring the true circumstances to the attention of a higher authority to aid a rapid conclusion to this issue.”
Both clubs have called for FIFA to try to end the stalemate. They believe only the game’s top brass can break the stalemate over the 23-year-old’s ownership, which has held up the planned £30million-plus transfer.
Joorabchian, and his company MSI, claims to own Tevez’s economic rights, while West Ham insist the striker is contracted and registered with them.
Earlier a West Ham spokesman, referring to FIFA stepping in, said: “All parties agree this is the best way forward and we will be involved in helping this be resolved as quickly as possible.”
Tevez jetted into Manchester on Tuesday for a proposed medical yesterday — but the Hammers blocked it, claiming they had not given permission.
Old Trafford chief executive David Gill insisted: “It might take up to two weeks for the FIFA body to be formed to hear the case. I am still confident that Carlos will start the season training with us.”
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Mirror: CARLOS TEVEZ has pleaded with FIFA to let him quit West Ham in a £30million dream move to Manchester United as his representative Kia Joorabchian launched a stinging attack on the Hammers.
Accusing the Upton Park outfit of being two-faced, the Iranian-born businessman said: “West Ham have consistently provided private assurances while at the same time making contrary statements to the public at large.”
Things came to a head yesterday after talks between United, West Ham, Joorabchian and the Premier League failed to settle the issue.
Now FIFA will have the final say on one of the most controversial transfers in recent history. But Joorabchian turned the screw on the underpressure Hammers, adding: “We see no alternative but to bring the true circumstances to the attention of a higher authority.
“Over the last six months West Ham have made repeated promises and assurances which they have not acted upon or performed. It is now time for these inconsistencies to be brought to an end.
“We can no longer allow these inconsistencies to continue unaddressed.”
Tevez is desperate to join United and he and Joorabchian are contesting West Ham’s claim that they have the striker tied to a four-year deal.
The Argentina star insists he only joined them on a one-year contract, with an option to extend, which he claims was never taken up.Positive Tevez said: “I want a positive solution to allow me to move to Manchester United in the same way Javier Mascherano joined Liverpool in January.
“I am very grateful to West Ham. The club and the fans are sensational but when it comes to football, I believe a good transfer will be good for them.
“I would like the deal completed so I can go on holiday full of peace and calm.
But I am convinced I will play for Manchester United next season.”
If FIFA decide in Tevez’s favour, United will be free to negotiate a deal with Joorabchian to sign the 23-year-old. Any transfer would be scrutinised by the Premier League.
But if FIFA find in favour of West Ham and decide that Tevez is under contract, United would then have to begin the process of negotiating a transfer free with the Hammers in order to sign him. United chief executive David Gill, speaking on the club’s pre-season tour of the Far East, said he remained confident FIFA will find in Tevez’s favour and that the player will be theirs before the transfer deadline on August 31.
Gill said: “We’re very confident that the issue will be resolved in favour of the player and for him to achieve his and our wish to join Manchester United.”
A West Ham spokesman said: “It now makes sense for this to be dealt with by FIFA. All parties agree this is the best way forward.”
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Sky: West Ham United ‘totally reject’ Kia Joorabchian’s accusations regarding the Carlos Tevez affair.
Tevez is aiming to secure a move to Manchester United and his agent Joorabchian released a statement on Wednesday claiming The Hammers had gone back on previous promises.
The London club have now responded to Joorabchian’s comments and insist Tevez is under contract Upton Park for a further three years.
“West Ham United totally rejects the latest outburst and threats issued in the name of Kia Joorabchian in relation to the situation regarding Carlos Tevez,” read a club statement.
“We will not be drawn into this form of public mudslinging, but these latest statements cannot go unanswered.
“Mr Joorabchian entered into agreements with the previous regime at West Ham United at a time in which he was attempting to take over the club. Those arrangements, since terminated by West Ham United, led the club into serious disciplinary difficulties for which the club has paid a heavy price.
“It is absolutely clear that the only contract relating to Carlos Tevez recognised by West Ham United and the Premier League is the player’s four-year contract which runs until June 2010. All other arrangements were terminated by West Ham on 27th April 2007 and no legal challenge to that termination has occurred.”
Meanwhile, the club have also confirmed the intention to allow Fifa to adjudicate on Tevez’s proposed transfer to Old Trafford.
The statement continued: “The club has in recent weeks made every effort to keep Carlos Tevez at West Ham United and indeed offered significantly improved terms and conditions to the player, which were not accepted.
“However, a transfer of a properly registered player cannot occur without agreement between two clubs and the Premier League.
“Without such an agreement we believe that it is in the interest of all parties to resolve this issue as quickly as possible through the procedures laid down by Fifa.
“Public threats and accusations are irrelevant, let Fifa decide and West Ham United will accept that judgement whatever the outcome. The time has come to settle this matter in a way which will allow everyone concerned to move on.”
