Tevez dispute taken to High Court

25th Jul 2007

Carol Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has began legal proceedings regarding the player's proposed move from West Ham to Manchester United.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Joorabchian have issued the east London club with a High Court Writ.

Joorabchian and his companies, MSI and Just Sports Inc, claim they own the economic rights to Tevez, but this is disputed by West Ham.

The High Court summons comes after FIFA were unable to sort out the deal, having been called in by Manchester United and West Ham. Tevez's move to United has stalled over who will be paid the £30m transfer fee.

"I can confirm the companies have begun High Court proceedings against West Ham," said Teacher Stern Selby solicitor Graham Shear, the lawyers representing MSI and Just Sports Inc.

"We are asking the court to intervene so that Tevez can be registered to play with Manchester United as soon as possible".

Third-party ownership of players is common in south America, but was almost unheard of before Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano joined West Ham. Mascherano has since moved to Liverpool.

West Ham were fined £5.5m in April after breaking Premier League laws which forbid third-party ownership.

Manchester United will be hoping the dispute will be solved as soon as possible so Tevez can join their pre-season preparations, adding to a string of high-profile signings by Alex Ferguson, including Owen Hargreaves and Nani.