West Ham’s Premiership survival hopes were given a massive boost on Friday when the east London club escaped a points deduction over the controversial signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The Hammers were hit with a massive fine of £5,5-million for breaching Premiership regulations governing transfers after a Premier League disciplinary panel ruled that the two Argentinians were effectively owned by a third party.
But that amount may be reduced on appeal and, while it is a record financial penalty for an English club, it will be regarded as a price worth paying if West Ham go on to retain their top flight status.
The decision not to impose a points penalty means West Ham will go into Saturday’s crucial relegation clash with fellow strugglers Wigan only three points adrift of safety after winning four of their last six matches.
Tevez and Mascherano were signed by West Ham on the final day of the August 2006 transfer window.
Although they came from Brazilian club Corinthians, their registrations were part-owned by Media Sports Investment, a consortium headed by businessman Kia Joorabchian.
At the time, it appeared likely that the consortium would mount a bid to take over West Ham. But that bid never materialised and the club was instead bought by an Icelandic consortium fronted by the current chairperson, Eggert Magnusson.
Mascherano, who made only three first-team starts at West Ham, was transferred in January to Liverpool, where he has since rediscovered the form that made him one of Argentina’s most impressive performers at last summer’s World Cup.
Tevez remains at Upton Park where he has become a cult hero to the fans and played a key role in the recent revival that has generated hope of a ”great escape” from the relegation zone. — AFP
