West Ham ready to fight Warnock in Tevez affair

Moving on: Neil Warnock resigned from the Sheffield United following the club's relegation in 2007

Ken Dyer|Ben Hunt13 April 2012

West Ham will vigorously defend any legal action taken by Neil Warnock over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The former Sheffield United boss confirmed today that he is considering launching a private claim for compensation against the Hammers.

Warnock, now in charge at Crystal Palace, believes that the out-of-court settlement reached between West Ham and the Blades yesterday allows him to launch his own action.

The 60-year-old feels he would still be managing in the Premier League if it had not been for the part Tevez played in keeping West Ham in the top flight in 2007.

It is also understood that some former Sheffield United players are considering suing for lost bonuses but Hammers officials are confident that they can rebuff any action because they believe the original independent FA arbitration panel ruling against West Ham last year did not allow for any individual claims.

Hammers owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who was at last night's goalless draw with West Brom, had hoped the £15million out-of-court settlement would bring the saga to an end. But Warnock, a life-long Blades fan, will not let the matter drop.

The current Palace boss said: "People have been criticised for taking it this far but all the while we were in the right.

"There should have been action taken sooner but at least now there is an agreement between the two clubs.

"You cannot put right the disappointment. I just think if it was a bigger club, it would have been dealt with at the time."

Warnock also renewed his attack on Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore today, calling for him to be sacked over his role in the affair.
"I am very bitter about Richard Scudamore at the Premier League because Sheffield United was my dream job," Warnock told Sky Sports News.

"I find it amazing that Richard Scudamore is still in a job at the Premier League. I just find it amazing.

"I think all along if the facts were known it would have been dealt with sooner. It's nice to be able to justify it now the facts have been made."