Hammers blast back at Joorabchian

A sticky situation: Tevez pictured with a plaster on his arm in Manchester last night

13 April 2012

West Ham today accused Kia Joorabchian of mudslinging as relationships between the Premiership club and the businessman continued to deteriorate over the Carlos Tevez controversy.

Joorabchian, who maintains he still owns the economic rights of the Argentine striker who is wanted by Manchester United, earlier accused West Ham of failing to act upon "repeated promises and assurances" and of making "inconsistent" statements.

But West Ham hit back, dismissing Joorabchian's claims out of hand.

The club's statement read: "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. 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 27 April, 2007 and no legal challenge to that termination has occurred."

The Premier League and West Ham are insisting Manchester United, who are keen to sign Tevez on a two-year loan deal with a view to a permanent move, can only deal with the Upton Park club who still hold the player's registration.

Joorabchian maintains that any negotiations should be conducted with him and not West Ham who unilaterally cancelled their loan agreement with the businessman so that they could continue to play Tevez in the last few games last season and in the wake of an independent tribunal's findings regarding third-party ownership of players.

FIFA have now been called in to arbitrate in the dispute while Tevez remains in limbo.