Mudslinging

West Ham today hit back at Kia Joorabchian, rejecting his assertion they had made misleading statements about Carlos Tevez and reiterating their claim that they owned the player outright. The club was reacting to Joorabchian's threat to bring "the true circumstances" of Tevez's position to the attention of "a higher authority" - presumably Fifa, who were called in yesterday by Manchester United to arbitrate the transfer. Tevez's advisers also stated that the Hammers made "promises and assurances" about the 23-year-old Argentine which they have not acted on. West Ham remain unbowed, insisting that every document regarding them and Tevez has already been scrutinised by the Premier League. Far from cowering at the prospect of Fifa intervention, Eggert Magnusson now appears to be actively encouraging it.

The statement that was posted on the club's official website reads:

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 27th April 2007 and no legal challenge to that termination has occurred. West Ham United can also confirm that all documentation regarding the Club and Carlos Tevez has already been submitted to the Premier League and fully scrutinised by them. We have ensured full disclosure.

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.

Meanwhile, the British government and the Football Association will unite to press Fifa to investigate the question of third party ownership of players. A report on the BBC states that Carlos Tevez's proposed transfer from West Ham to Manchester United has brought the matter under the spotlight and raised high-level concerns about the 'integrity of the game'. A Whitehall source said: "We don't want third-party ownership in British football, we want it dealt with," while the Department of Media, Culture and Science has called for a probe at "the highest international level."