West Ham respond after criticism by Tevez agent

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By Simon Hart

LONDON (Reuters) - Carlos Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian has criticised Premier League club West Ham United for their conduct over the Argentina forward.

Joorabchian issued a statement late on Wednesday accusing West Ham of "inconsistencies" in their private and public statements over the player's proposed move to Manchester United.

West Ham responded on Thursday, stressing that they had acted transparently, ensuring "full disclosure" by submitting "all documentation regarding the club and Carlos Tevez" to the Premier League for scrutiny.

The London club added that the only contract they had with Tevez was his playing contract, which runs until 2010, the club having terminated "all other arrangements".

FIFA are expected to become involved in the matter after talks between West Ham and Manchester United reached an impasse earlier this week.

'WHOLLY INCONSISTENT'

"Press statements both today and over the last few weeks are wholly inconsistent with the real circumstances and the situation presented to us by West Ham concerning Carlos Tevez," Joorabchian said in his statement.

He added: "West Ham have consistently provided private assurances while at the same time making contrary statements to the public at large. We can no longer allow these inconsistencies to continue unaddressed."

Although West Ham insist they hold the player's registration, Joorabchian said Tevez had been "given permission via his representatives to talk to other clubs".

West Ham, however, insisted in a statement on their Web site (www.whufc.co.uk) that "a transfer of a properly registered player cannot occur without agreement between two clubs and the Premier League".

The statement said: "It is absolutely clear that the only contract relating to Carlos Tevez recognised by West Ham United and the Premier League is the player's four-year contract which runs until June 2010.

"All other arrangements were terminated by West Ham on 27th April 2007 and no legal challenge to that termination has occurred."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said on Wednesday that FIFA would "probably" handle the case.

Tevez joined West Ham last August with fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano who subsequently moved to Liverpool.

However, the complex transfers breached Premier League rules and subsequently cost West Ham 5.5 million pounds ($11.29 million) although the club were allowed to continue playing Tevez at the end of last season after assuring the Premier League they had torn up a third-party agreement with Joorabchian.

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