On this very day in 2007, West Ham United opted not to appeal a hefty £5.5 million fine imposed by the Premier League for breaching third-party ownership rules in the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
West Ham’s audacious capture of the Argentinian duo in 2006 was met with surprise and later, controversy. The Premier League‘s investigation revealed that Tevez and Mascherano were partly owned by Media Sports Investment, a company with ties to agent Kia Joorabchian. This structure violated the league’s regulations.
After a two-day hearing, the independent commission ruled against West Ham, imposing a significant fine. However, the club opted against an appeal, seemingly prioritizing a move forward.
Despite the fine, West Ham escaped a potentially devastating points deduction. This, coupled with Tevez’s crucial goals in the final stretch of the season, secured their Premier League status. Tevez netted seven times in the last ten games, including the winner against Manchester United that sealed their survival.
West Ham’s relegation-threatened rivals, particularly Sheffield United who were relegated that season, were outraged by the lack of a points deduction. Sheffield United even took legal action, which was eventually settled out of court in 2009.
Both Tevez and Mascherano’s stints at West Ham were brief. Tevez moved to Manchester United at the end of the season, while Mascherano had already departed for Liverpool in January 2007.