Tevez was always eligible to play for West Ham, say Premier League

The 'Gang of Four' clubs, who are lining up to challenge the decision to allow the Hammers to escape with a fine for playing Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano, have raised questions about whether the striker should have been allowed to continue playing for the club once the third-party interest from Kia Joorabchian became apparent.

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But Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson denied that Tevez, whose goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham up as Sheffield United followed Charlton and Watford into the Championship, was ever ineligible.

Johnson did, though, concede that Joorabchian's influence was against the rules.

He told The Sun: "This has never been a question of West Ham fielding an ineligible player.

"From the day they signed him, West Ham have owned his registration. That has never been an issue.

"West Ham have never tried to conceal the fact Tevez and Javier Mascherano are owned by Kia Joorabchian and MSI. That is not against the rules.

"The only problem we had with the deal was the existence of a clause in the agreement which would allow Joorabchian to sell the players to another club at any time."

Sheffield United, Charlton, Wigan and Fulham, thought to be backed by Middlesbrough, have also questioned the player's right to continue playing after an independent commission handed down a £5.5million fine over the arrangement, but Johnson insists the Premier League are also happy with Tevez's re-registration.

"On the day of the inquiry's judgment, West Ham chose to terminate the third-party agreement with Joorabchian. They presented the Premier League with written evidence of the new arrangement."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed the Premier League will write to each of 20 top-flight clubs today, explaining their handling of the affair.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old's performances have put him firmly in the shop window and despite retaining their status, West Ham look likely to lose their star player.

But Joorabchian remains tight-lipped and told the Daily Express: "I went out for dinner with Carlos last night. There was not one word about his future.

"Three clubs had made it clear they wanted to sign him but I told them to wait until the season had finished.

"Carlos did not want to discuss his future, he was so wrapped up in wanting to keep West Ham up."

But the Iranian businessman also hinted the Hammers could face a stiff challenge to keep Tevez.

"I'll sit down with West Ham if they want to talk to me about keeping him because you never know. But there are two of the biggest clubs in the world who want him."

The relegation issue is due to reach the House of Commons today when a group of Sheffield MPs bring the matter before Parliament.

Clive Betts, Labour representative for Sheffield Attercliffe is leading the motion and is due to call for West Ham to be deducted points.

Betts told the Yorkshire Post: "The early day motion is essentially saying that the whole of the Premiership competition has been thrown into doubt. There are very clear rules.

"West Ham have broken those rules and they should have points deducted as a consequence."