© EuroFootball.com
"London club has been fined a record £5.5 million (more than €8 million) for rule violations in the acquisition of legionnaires Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. The 'Hammers' club can only be pleased that they avoided a points deduction penalty.
West Ham was found guilty in court of falsifying income tax documents when making contracts with the Argentinians. The points were not deducted from the team only at the club's request, citing that there had been a change in the team's management since the beginning of the season when the contracts were signed.
In addition, the Premier League may terminate the London club's contract with Carlos Tevez, and West Ham may have to resign a contract with him. It should be noted that another participant in the scandalous contract, Javier Mascherano, moved to Liverpool in January.
The scandalous contract with the footballers was signed last summer between the company "Media Sports Investment," run by the Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian, and then-West Ham chairman Terence Brown and executive director Paul Aldridge. Both of the latter were dismissed when the 'Hammers' team was acquired by Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson. Iceland also denied any ties with T. Brown and P. Aldridge and negatively assessed this contract.
This season is going particularly badly for West Ham - the team is currently in 19th place with 3 games left until the end of the Premier League season, trailing by three points from the safe 17th position. Over the weekend, the 'Hammers' will play a very important match against Wigan, who are in 16th place.
The £5.5 million fine imposed is the largest in Premier League history. The most affected club so far has been Tottenham, who were fined £1.5 million (about €2.25 million) for financial misconduct in 1994.
In an official statement from West Ham, it is stated: "West Ham officially acknowledges guilt and agrees with it, and regrets breaking the Premier League rules. However, the new team owners want to restore the tarnished situation and remain in the league. Since the points were not deducted, the fate of the team is in its own hands. West Ham is happy that the final tournament position and which team will remain in the Premier League will be decided on the field. The club will also consider the possibility of appealing the financial penalty with a request to reduce it."
