Guddy y Guily, Con Permiso Para Negociar

Eggert Magnusson has called for an end to the ongoing row over Carlos Tevez's transfer to Upton Park. "It is about time to end this matter," the Irons chairman said today. "We have had a very severe fine which put financial constraints on this club and it is about time to finish this off." Appearing on Sky Sports News, Magnusson admitted he was happy that the battle to stay in the Premiership would be decided on the pitch. "It is the Premier League that has stated that everything is okay and that Carlos Tevez can play until the end of the season, so for me that is clear," he stated. "We are with some clubs in a relegation battle and people are worried, I understand that. From my point of view the decisions about who is champions and who is relegated should be decided on the pitch. That is where points are taken and that is where you lose points. It is completely in the hands of the Premier League and I trust them 100 per cent."

There have been reports that Kia Joorabchian still owns Tevez and has to give permission for the Argentine to play, but Magnusson insists that is not the case. He explained: "I have not had any conversations with Kia Joorabchian about that. He was here at the game on Saturday but we just talked about the game. From the club's point of view there has never been any doubt that his registration, and also Mascherano's, were okay." And the West Ham chairman maintains the Premier League have seen documents that prove Tevez's registration is above board. "They are in order and they have been approved by the Premier League," he said.

While Magnusson maintains that everything is in order, the resolve of the 'Gang of Four' is hardening with a conviction that third parties are still dictating terms on which Tevez continues to play for West Ham. The club insist they have torn up their third-party agreements to comply with the decision of the independent commission but the four are querying whether those agreements have simply been deferred to allow the Argentine striker to continue to play. Fulham director and lawyer Stuart Benson said; "There is no doubt that binding contracts exist between West Ham and third parties, there has to be. It is implicit that West Ham are negotiating a deal with those same third parties and that a valid contract undoubtedly still exists. Third parties are still controlling Tevez. The Premier League are making assumptions based on what West Ham have told them and shown them, but we believe there might well be more to it. Our view is that this all needs to be sorted out with another full and proper investigation followed by another commission, and with other clubs being entitled to be represented at a further commission. Otherwise we are not going to be deterred from seeking legal redress."

The Express claim at least two more clubs are ready to join any legal challenge and many other clubs sympathise with the cause. "If the Premier League think we are losing interest they are wrong," said Benson. "Fulham are no longer in danger of relegation, which makes us even more determined to press ahead than ever, as we prefer to take this view on the moral high ground rather than somebody who might go down. There is a deep principle here and the letters that have been sent out is an attempt to sweep it under the carpet in the hope it will all go away. They say that points must be won or lost on the pitch, but Fulham have suffered when the rules have been rigidly held against us in the past. What’s good for us would be good for the rest."

Away from the legal wrangling and Catalan sportspaper Mundo Deportivo is reporting our interest in Eidur Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic striker has been told he can leave Barcelona this summer with us and Manchester United leading the chase of potential suitors.