Settlement agreed in Tevez affair
West Ham and Sheffield United have reached an out-of-court settlement over the Carlos Tevez affair.
In a joint statement, the agreement was described as "satisfactory settlement for compensation" but the figure paid by the Hammers - which has been reported to be as high as £25million - was not confirmed.
It means the independent tribunal chaired by Lord Griffiths to rule on the controversy will not reconvene today.
The statement from Blades chairman Kevin McCabe and West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "Both clubs are pleased to announce that a satisfactory settlement for compensation has been reached which brings the dispute between Sheffield United and West Ham to an end.
"The tribunal will not be resuming."
Mr McCabe said: "We are happy and satisfied with the settlement with West Ham. Throughout the finalisation of the terms for the agreement, the discussions were friendly, co-operative and in the best of spirit with both the Blades and Hammers advisory teams.
"We are two clubs with a fantastic footballing history who now want to move on and focus on the business of playing football - hopefully for us against the Hammers in the Premier League next season."
Mr Duxbury said: "For everyone concerned, the time was right to draw a line under this whole episode. We have had very positive discussions over a number of days with Sheffield United and acknowledge their willingness to resolve this in the best interests of both clubs.
"This now allows us to concentrate on our immediate ambitions, which include a strong finish to the Premier League season and possible European qualification, without any negative impact on our long-term project. We wish Sheffield United well in their bid to secure promotion from the Championship."
The Tevez controversy began in 2006 when the Argentina international and his compatriot Javier Mascherano were signed by West Ham under third party ownership deals which contravened Premier League rules. It has sparked three separate inquiries, one of which led to a £5.5m fine - but not a points deduction - for the Hammers.
