Hammers welcome Sheffield United for today's home game, there has been SOME mention of past events in the run up to the game, but to clarify things we thought we would add some additional information for those not in the know.
There are many of the 'new generation' of Hammers fans who only have vague memories of the 'Carlos Tevez' saga. Javier Mascherano's role in the story has almost been completely forgotten despite his arrival at the same time as Tevez.
To briefly sum up the events for those who were too young to remember, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were two of the best players in Argentina who suddenly arrived at West Ham as two new signings that even the manager at the time Alan Pardew had no prior knowledge of!
The players arrival was 'arranged' by a company called Media Sports Investments (MSI) in addition to Just Sports Incorporated, Global Soccer Agencies (GSA) and Mystere Services Limited who were fronted by Kia Joorabchian who thought that he had an 'arrangement' in place to purchase West Ham from the majority shareholder Terrence Brown. Tevez and Mascherano hailed from the São Paulo club Corinthians and were baffled at their final destination.
Brown then reneged on the take over deal, having suddenly been offered twice the price that Iranian born Joorabchian had offered, by the 'biscuit baron' Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, an Icelandic billionaire who installed Eggert Magnusson as chairman.
This course of events totally put Joorabchian's nose out of joint and he began a revenge mission to 'put things right'. It should also be mentioned that MSI the company Joorabchian represented were linked with some rather shady deals for players in South America that were rumoured to be part of a huge money laundering enterprise. The activities of MSI were investigated but witnesses withdrew their statements and any pending prosecutions were shelved.
Tevez did play a role in Hammers survival in the top flight that season, scoring a memorable goal against Manchester United that kept the Irons up, whereas Macherano was a total failure and contributed little to no assistance in the 'great escape' as it was called.
Sheffield Utd were relegated that season and as soon as the ownership issues relating to Tevez and Mascherano were made public by guess who, the Blades sued for damages and requested that West Ham be relegated in their stead. The Premier League flatly refused 'retrospective' action but fined West Ham £5 Million for incorrect registration of player details due to the players' joint ownership with third parties.
Not content with Hammers being fined, Joorabchian forced the issue into the public domain and gave his unofficial backing to the blades. He also enlisted the assistance of a certain Sky Sports TV reporter who acted as a Blades mouthpiece throughout the subsequent 'trial' brought about by Sheffield United who claimed and were granted £20 Million in damages as a result of their relegation!
The hypocritical,part of the story is that the 'dual ownership' issue suddenly dissapeared and Tevez was allowed to sign for Manchester United and Mascherano was allowed to sign for Liverpool, the 'elite' teams getting their way, now isn't that a co-incidence?
It was OK for United and The Pool to deal with shady companies but NOT for little old West Ham! Of course in the event Sheffield failed to return to the top flight and squandered the money received, further more it should be remembered that Sheffield failed over the course of an entire season to survive and that the South American duo hardly played for West Ham initially!
A certain faction of Sheffield fans still blame West Ham for their demise as opposed to criticising their manager or owners, including Sean 'Huge MOUTH' Bean who did his level best to drag Hammers name through the mud. This writer was actually at the 'hearing' that authorised the compensation payment but refused to dock Hammers points, again a certain TV presenter was there doing his upmost to besmirch Hammers but eventually failed.
Joorbachian got his revenge, Blades got their cash and the TV presenter got his moment of fame! Hammers paid a hefty price and their fans watched on as Tevez and Mascherano 'ripped up' the Premier league. So if anyone is entitled to 'sour grapes' they are the supporters of West Ham, NOT Sheffield United. - Ed
Comments
15/16 years ago
And I remember most of it clearly. All Sheffield Utd had to do was draw against fellow relegation candidates, Wigan ,on the last day of the season to stay up whilst we had that memorable day against Utd. Much was made of Tevez and that one goal,but lets be honest, the real hero was Robbie Green who probably had the best game of his career.
Unfair in my opinion to call Mascherano a failure, he was the Argentinian star and I believe would have cost us a small fortune after a certain number of appearances, hence lack of game time. He was outstanding in that Liverpool team for quite some time. I also understood it that United and LIverpool bought those players outright and no "second ownership" was involved.Was also funny to see old Warnock literally dribbling with bile as he ranted on everyone except himself and his team for their failure to stay up. Great days.
Who gives 2 f* cks
Just like Carlos.. move on ffs
Ahh yes the Blunts
They could of stayed up if they had won/drawn the Wigan game no matter what we did and would they have been after us then? of course not. Loved seeing them get stuffed last week and i hope beyond hope we dish out the same treatment today and send them back to where they belong COYI
Storm in a teacup..
Still today can't believe Sully found 25 mill under the mattress