Blades to sue Hammers over £50m relegation costs

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The Blades recently failed in their High Court bid to force new Premier League disciplinary action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair but now plan to take a new course of action.

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Toby Craig, a member of the club's legal team, said: "After consideration and discussion with our legal advisers Sheffield United are today initiating legal proceedings against West Ham United as we seek substantial compensation for our relegation from the Premier League."

The Blades' recent High Court bid came after an arbitration panel rejected their claim against the Premier League for failing to dock West Ham points over the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The top flight's governing body had instead levied a £5.5million fine on the London club in April.

The Blades have put the cost of relegation at between £30m and £50m.

The United statement continued: "This action is distinct from the arbitration proceedings between the club and the Premier League during the close season.

"We have always said that we will do everything in our power to secure justice for Sheffield United and restore the integrity of English football which has been tarnished by this affair.

"Once proceedings have been issued we will await a response from West Ham before making any further statements."

The original independent commission panel's verdict on April 27 revealed that West Ham had pleaded guilty to breaking the rule which forbids the ownership of players by a third party and of failing to provide correct documentation.

The panel ruled: "We are of the view that these are exceedingly serious allegations because they amount to not only an obvious and deliberate breach of the rules but a grave breach of trust as to the FAPL (Premier League) and its constituent members because in our finding the club has been responsible for dishonesty and deceit."