Tevez - from the Telegraph

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

Carlos Tevez story still has no end in sight
By Duncan White, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:42am BST 15/07/2007

The saga of Carlos Tevez's protracted move from West Ham to Manchester United shows no signs of being resolved as fresh allegations are levelled at Media Sports Investments, the company that claim to own the Argentine striker's "economic rights".

Contrary to reports that the deal could be resolved this week, the possibility of an imminent resolution look increasingly remote.

Warrants have been issued in Brazil for the arrest of Kia Joorabchian, the president of MSI, Nojan Bedroud, an MSI director, and the Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky, allegedly a major source of the company's wealth.

Tevez takes to the field in the Copa America final tonight, as Argentina take on Brazil. Tevez's outstanding form in the tournament has only enhanced United's desire to sign the striker, but despite their initial optimism of sorting out a deal for the player, it is becoming increasingly immersed in murkiness.

Joorabchian claims Tevez is due for a medical at Old Trafford this week - perhaps the only straightforward part of any potential transfer - but that looks like a tactic to put pressure on West Ham.

advertisementWest Ham need to hold their nerve. They own Tevez's registration and the Premier League are satisfied that they terminated their third-party agreements with MSI on April 27. If Manchester United want to buy Tevez, then they need to pay West Ham a transfer fee. Simple as that.

However Joorabchian claims MSI own the player's "economic rights". Quite what these are remains something of a mystery but they are of little use without the player's registration.

If MSI are cut out of a deal then they could feasibly take West Ham to court but with doubts raised about how legally enforceable these third-party agreements are.

West Ham could take heart from last week's ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which looked at MSI's involvement in the transfer of a Brazilian striker named Nilmar from Lyon to Corinthians for 10 million euros.

Lyon alleged that Corinthians and MSI had acted illegally in trying to evade paying the full transfer fee. First FIFA and then CAS backed Lyon. Corinthians have been left broke after falling out with MSI and owe the French champions eight million euros.

Furthermore, four of their directors are due in court on allegations of money-laundering and also of match-fixing as part of the same investigation that has fingered MSI.

The Brazilian investigators claim to have tape-recordings of Corinthians officials planning ways of manipulating results in order to avoid relegation, including influencing officials - a resounding echo of the Italian match-fixing scandal of last year. Tevez is a good player but is this the kind of company Manchester United want to keep?

Joorabchian insists he has done nothing wrong and Berezovsky has cried conspiracy, pointing the finger at his enemies in the Kremlin, while maintaining that he has no financial stake in MSI.

With MSI's accounts based in the Cayman Islands, contradictory reports being published and an atmosphere of paranoia abounding, it is becoming difficult to get a straight answer to even the most simple questions.

Will Kia Joorabchian and co be extradited to Brazil to face trial?

Contrary to early reports, it is not possible for Interpol to arrest Joorabchian. What they can do is issue a "Red Notice" in response to an arrest warrant and inform and co-operate with the British authorities. Brazil does have an extradition treaty with the UK but this country has never been forthcoming in such matters. Russia have been seeking the extradition of Berezovsky on a range of charges, a move that Britain has opposed. As Joorabchian is a British citizen it is highly unlikely he would be arrested and sent to Brazil.

What contract was torn up to allow Tevez to continue playing for West Ham last season?

The Premier League are satisfied that West Ham terminated all third-party arrangements with MSI. They have seen all the relevant documentation, including material from MSI and Tevez.

However, Joorabchian maintains that MSI still control the player's "economic rights". Exactly what this means is not clear, because if MSI do have a contract with West Ham it would contradict what both the East London club and the Premier League are saying.

What is the status of Javier Mascherano?

When Mascherano moved to Liverpool, West Ham tore up his registration, effectively making him a free agent. He then signed for Liverpool on a two-year deal, with an option for a longer term deal at the end of that period. Confusion has arisen because this deal has been referred to as a loan when in fact he has been signed as a Liverpool player on a short-term basis.

What are the possible consequences for the future of English football?

Third-party ownership is a bad thing for competitive football. While the idea of Tevez joining the array of attacking talent at Old Trafford is an appealing prospect, it would be disastrous to encourage the ownership of players by external parties. Inevitable problems would arise, not least that of conflict of interest. If one body owns players at several different clubs, would it not leave the door open for the manipulation of results?

One last question: Why will MSI not disclose who they are? Why do the company's investors feel the need to conceal themselves behind the veil of anonymity?

Subject: Re: Tevez - from the Telegraph Sun Jul 15 2007, 19:02

Good journalism. I'm following this one with great interest.

Remember back in '94 when under similar circumstances, (i) we paid a fine, (ii) had 12 points deducted and (iii) could not enter the FA Cup for a year ?!?!?!?

Let's see how this turns out

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

So it's going to court ! Reckon West Ham would be happy to let Tevez go for nowt but can't because it would show they lied to the FA.

It's been a long summer saga but it could start to get interesting.