Tevez dispute goes to Fifa
Tevez's move is the transfer story of the summer
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West Ham have reiterated their determination to hang on to playmaker Carlos Tevez by refusing to allow the Argentine attacker to go ahead with a  |
Wednesday, 18, Jul 2007 05:46
The ongoing dispute between Manchester United, West Ham United, the Premier League and an alleged third-party owner of Carlos Tevez will be settled by Fifa.
Both clubs have agreed that mediation by football's world governing body is the only way forward as they look to resolve the protracted negotiations which have held up the Argentinean forward's move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said last week that he expected the transfer to be completed "in a matter of days" after various administrative hold-ups were settled – a view echoed by the owner of Media Sports Investments (MSI), Kia Joorabchian.
Joorabchian continues to claim ownership of the striker, despite the Hammers' claims that they have "torn up" the agreement with the businessman that allows him to retain ownership of the player's rights.
And because of what Old Trafford chief executive David Gill has called the "overcomplicated" nature of the deal, Fifa have now been asked to step in.
"There have been a lot of discussions with the Premier League, West Ham and [Manchester United's lawyer] Maurice Watkins over the last few days," Gill said at a press conference in Seoul today.
"Now the player and West Ham will take the case to the Fifa dispute resolution chamber.
"We're very confident, as is the player, that the situation will be resolved in favour of Tevez so that he will then be free to achieve his, and our, wish to join United.”
West Ham today blocked the Red Devils' attempts to perform a medical on Tevez in preparation for a move, saying the player was still under contract to them and that no deal between the clubs has been agreed.
But Old Trafford bosses claim to have concluded negotiations with Tevez's representatives at MSI over personal terms for the move to go ahead.
A decision is expected soon, according to Gill, who added he was "very confident" of having the matter resolved before the season curtain-raiser – the Community Shield – at Wembley Stadium on August 5th.