Blades ready to sue over punishment

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Blades are among four clubs considering legal action against the decision by an independent commission to fine West Ham £5.5million for contract irregularities over the signing of Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, rather than deduct points.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe said: "The original ruling found West Ham guilty but the penalty given undermines the governance of the Premier League and invites anarchy. It is a snub to every club and their fans."

The Premier League have written to all 20 member clubs claiming a legal challenge to the ruling being considered by Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton is "bound to fail".

However, the Blades have issued a new threat that they will sue the Premier League if they are relegated.

McCabe added: "This is not so much a case of gaining recompense as protecting our position in the hope that the Premier League will reconsider their decision and appoint a new tribunal.

"It was an unjust penalty. We might as well all field illegal players every week. Here are West Ham still playing an international whose signing has breached the rules. It's just not on."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has insisted the commission's decision could not be challenged.

"The Premier League board is very confident that the rules of the Premier League have been adhered to in terms of how the commission was convened and how the whole issue was resolved," he said at the Soccerex conference in London.

"The people on the commission are so independent that the clubs sit around at the start of the season and decide who they are."