Ok, I think I've worked it all out. Apologies for the lengthy post.

I was thinking about this last night and it's all actually quite straightforward. Tevez signed a contract with West Ham on August 31st last year to join them on a loan-deal, FOR ONE SEASON. That much was clear from the outset. As Joorabchian himself said last night "it was mutually agreed he would be there for a year and he has served his year"

While he was under contract at WHU, he was registered with the Premier League as a West Ham player.

Now, since the end of the season, Tevez is under contract to nobody other than MIS. Sure, West Ham might have "torn up" this contract after they got hit with a fine and the threat that Tevez might not be able to play in their last few games but that doesn't mean anything. As the Premiership's own panel of arbitration recently said, this arrangement was not "legally watertight" (which is putting it mildly!) because neither Tevez nor his agent signed this new contract.

This "contract" is no more legally binding than if any of our employers altered our contract at work to say we will work a 7-day week at half our previous salary. No signature from the employee, no contract.

This means the only agreement that ever linked Tevez with West Ham was the short-term contract he signed in August and this has expired. He is contracted to MIS and nobody else. This is why United lawyers were so confident it's a done deal and why Joorabchian was being so bullish last night. The ownership of Tevez has absolutely NOTHING to do with West Ham.

The Hammers are backed into a corner here. When they told the Premier League they had assumed sole ownership of Tevez in April they were told they had to defend this stance, no matter what. This was the only way that the Premiership would allow him to play in their last few games of the season. Hence, they keep repeating their statement that he is a West Ham player. They have to say this. Even though their lawyers must know that if this gets challenged in a court of law they're donald-ducked.

The only sticking point is his registration. But even this would be invalid if subjected to legal challenge. You cannot hold the registration of a player who is not under contract at your club. Otherwise, what's to stop clubs registering players from other clubs on the last day of the transfer window then thrashing out the contract at a later date? No contract, no registration.

The Premier League know this. But they are sitting back and giving West Ham enough rope to hang themselves. The PL will just say that they took West Ham's assurances at face value and, if they are subsequently proved to have been invalid, the League will just throw the book at West Ham, big-time for deliberately misleading them(again!)The Premier League can then say that they have acted in an entirely appropriate and consistent manner throughout.

All of the legal aspect are so cut and dried that I don't see this going to court. West Ham are putting on a brave face but they have to crack soon and it's in their own best interest that they cut some sort of deal before the lawyers get involved. Which is why Joorabchian issued his statement last night, the day befoe SU go to the high court. he's just ratcheting the pressure up on West Ham, trying to speed up their inevitable climb-down. The Hammer are obviously waiting until after today's court case to make their next move.

So, I'm feeling quietly confident. Tevez WILL be a United player before the summer's out and West Ham WILL find themselves in a whole world of hurt in the very near future.

Give me a break! Everyday a new story.. when will it come to an end?

No hes not according to BBC Sports??? Confused... You Will Be!!!!

looks like tevez's move to old trafford as it another wall with the news that his agent as a warrant out for him over money laundering, so is dream move might not even happen

Mick, there is a warrant out for Joorabchians arrest over allegations of money laundering. This could end Man Utd's interest if Joorabchian is found guilty, as they will not want to be seen dealing with such a party.

Trevez is really good. it makes me want to travel up to Manchester to finally go to a match!

Mick, perhaps you should send your findings to West ham and tell they have been sussed, and get on with it.

Sounds good.

Nice novel there mick,lol:-)
i was getting into that but your theory does make sence,and id like both the premier league and west ham investigating and the book thrown at them both big time.

Good analysis, Mick.

It annoys me that press reports fail to address the issues of 1) what the PL are up to, trying to dictate transfer fees, and 2) how West Ham came by a player valued at 20-30 million quid, free of charge. There is no precedent in either case.

So Mick how does the warrant issued by the Brazilian judiciary for the arrest of Mr Joorabchian affect this situation?

Apparently there may be extradition for dodgy dealings. Thought this was the United page? Or is it someone else is manchester?

Duncan, I have no idea, but I doubt it's good news!

money laundering wheres this come from,hes a businessman,who bought tevez from river plate then loaned him to westham.
If you dont buy a ticket you cannot win the lottery,so west ham loaned tevez nothing more nothing less,hes a free agent.
All the media are selling adversising space to sell,dont be taken in by them,tevez will be a red soon.
west ham donald ducked and the premier league too,as the fa and fifa will say why didnt you make sure,and they will be looking at ppl resigning and westham relegated,i hope sheff utd win in court.
Then westham will be blowing methane bubbles.

mick if am looking for a brief are you available?

It has now transpired a warrant for arrest of Kia J* has been just been issued.

How very convinient. The PL could also be involved.

WHU are now playing dirty. Don't forget the BAD EGG (WHU Cahirman) used to be very influential as chairmen of Iceland FA and he had a seat at FIFA which he recently lost.

It has now transpired a warrant for arrest of Kia J* has been just been issued.

How very convinient. The PL could also be involved.

WHU are now playing dirty. Don't forget the BAD EGG (WHU Cahirman) used to be very influential as chairmen of Iceland FA and he had a seat at FIFA which he recently lost.

What is that lunar landscape under his chin?

Mick, so why does Magnusson keep saying that "Tevez is contracted to West Ham until June 2010"?

Hope we're not letting ourselves into a mess. I think it would be better if Tevez is declared to be a WH player and we deal directly with them than Kia!

Money-laundering, gangs, bribes, arrest warrents ..... sounds like it's time to call Jack Bauer in never mind FIFA

This arrest warrant is all very convenient. I've still got a bad feeling that this is all gonna go wrong for us despite the obvious dodgy ground that WHU and the PL are currently sitting on. It's just all a bit messy.

Well we've never had someone as good lucking since Luke Chadwick.. Great signing though even if it's all a bit messy!!

Egg-head keeps saying "Tevez is contracted to West Ham until June 2010" because the Premier League are forcing them to maintain their stance that the new "contract" (which Tevez never signed) has replaced the original agreement last summer.

The 2010 date is mentioned, presumably because this new "contract" is supposed to be 3 years long. It's still not worth the paper it's written on though.

The "lunar landscape" under his chin is a scar from when a pot of boiling water was knocked over him when he was 10.

The situation with the transfer is about as clear as this guy's complexion!

The whole stance from the Prem league and West Ham is reptitive and ridiculous. I think they are hoping that the adage that if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes accepted as the truth. Both parties keeprepeating that West Ham have the registration for the player, and thats why they have to get the fee. The only claim they have to him is holding his registration. They dont want to focus on how they got it. Basically they have it now and thats all the matters!

I'm sorry but this to me is the equivalent of squatting. You rent a house from someone, then decide you dont want to pay the rent, but your not leaving the house, and youre entitled to be there simply because you are there. Oh, and you can also sell the house too. West Ham are doing the same with Tevez. They are basically squatters.

This is one big set up.

Expect PL to investigate MU & WHU further on this.

Why does Taggart leave alone and move on. Tevez is unwanted baggage.