So, the punishment has now been handed down from on high. The FA have decided to be sensible and fine the club £115,000 for being found guilty of two of the four original charges brought against them.
The club are to be congratulated for energetically contesting the four original charges and winning the argument on two of them. This undoubtedly reduced the range of punishment open to the FA, including the possibility of closing Upton Park for some designated future home fixture.
A statement from West Ham states that:
“West Ham United are awaiting receipt of the full findings of the FA Regulatory Commission after being fined as the result of the disturbances following the Carling Cup match with Millwall on August 25.
“The club have been fined £115,000 for provocative behaviour and pitch incursion by supporters on the night.
“The club have 14 days to appeal the finding on receipt of the Commission’s full written reasons.”
I would be very surprised if the club appealed against the FA’s punishment. Afterall, there are undoubtedly more pressing matters at the moment, like the proposed takeover of the club and doing vital business in the second half of the January window!
As for the takeover, it really is proving painful waiting for news of a break through. If and when it happens, lets hope that it is the right deal for the long-term future of the club. It is interesting that Zola has broken his silence to state that the uncertainty is starting to affect the morale of the playing staff. And no doubt he anxiously wants to get his hands on any transfer pot arising from the takeover.
There is still time to do business, but the deal needs to go through soon. The new owner and C&B Holdings need to make arrangements to ensure that the transfer funds are fast tracked to Zola, Nani and co. Without further delay!
We can but live in hope!
SJ. Chandos.
Good decision by the FA, but still think Millwall got away lightly. We have bigger things to worry about — i.e. the ownership debacle. So it now looks like it's bewteen G&S and Tony F. It's a shame that the momentum seems to have gone out of the Intermarket bid. I just hope this all comes to a conclusion by the beginning of next week so there is still a couple of weeks to work on some transfers. On the plus side, the rumour mill seems to have gone quiet on Upson, Green, Parker etc. and even Berhami has publically stated he's staying. Maybe they know something we don't! And let's hope we know it soon!
The thing with the Intermarket bid LA is the secrecy … are they borrowing money to buy etc .. if they are then the interest is another debt we don't want … it has to be someone with their own money even if it means getting our own house in order and being self sufficient …
If, as Jason Burt claims in the Telegraph, Sullivan really is worth $600m from dildo sales (and is such an ardent Hammers fan) you would think he wouldn't be adverse to splashing a bit more cash out on the purchase price of the club and also give Zola a bigger transfer window kitty that 8m. Judging by the picture of him in his house in the same article, all the money is going on dodgy oil paintings and bad-taste furniture in the McMansion!
he also has a inbuilt bowling alley…..nice !!
sounds like a euphemism
it could be tactical…when man city or chelsea want a player the price goes up, cos they have the funds and everyone knows it. If you say you only have a small amount you are more likely to buy for a reasonable amount. They are not fools and have run a club before, they will know this. For example if we say we have 8 mill to spend and offer that for bentley, we will prob get him for that, if we boast of having 20 mill to spend spurs will hold out for much more.
The transfer window has been a non event, cos clubs have no cash to spend, they must sell to buy..eg spurs…so we maybe one of the few with cash and will have first shot at buying…it could favour us and we must exploit the situation…for a change…imo
I think that we got away lightly with the level of fine. It was obvious that we would be found guilty of these two charges and, actually, it's hard to make a case that we were not. I hope that the club do not decide to appeal as they would probably lose the appeal and the punishment would increase. After all, £115k is only about 200 season tickets. Small beans in the circumstances.
I agree, It's less than 2 weeks wages for Dyer!! Get rid of Dyer, pay the fine and move on with a net profit I say.
Ashtead Ray…Dyer is not a piece of cheap furniture to be discarded on a whim. The bloke is fighting like mad to save his career going down the pan like Dean Ashton.
He's certainly not cheap, but he's as about as reliable as a piece of cheap furniture! I've defended him for long enough and now believe that we should cut our losses. Any business that got this return from such a large investment would have got shot long ago.
We couldn't sell Dyer now even if we wanted to. His injury problems would frighten off any buyers and West Ham would ultimately benefit should his career be ended on medical advice, as seems possible.
Until then, I think we should wish him well and stop acting like the guy is conning us. He can't help being injured but we can show some sympathy.
I fear it may be to late for Dyer Newsnow are saying he is to retire due to injuries, it is a shame that he never really got a decent run as he was without doubt a class act as was Ashton .
Still looking on the bright side that will reduce the wage bill further and I am not sure if there is any sort of payout in the way of insurance ? never the less life at UP goes on and this may be a blessing.
The writing was on the wall for Dyer at Newcastle and yet again the Eggman got mugged by Mike Ashley and paid the full 7 million my Geordie mates said he was a crock, low and behold he has been for 3 bloody years his body told him then he was finished but Curbs should pay us back his and Quashie,s tranfer fee,s for fraud,impersonating professional footballers along with Ljungberg,greedy tosser,s!
I have been a critic of Zola managerial performance this season but I really feel him right now. He's trying to prepare a team and hold onto what little momentum we gained over Xmas, keeping the player's minds on the job, and all the while not knowing if he'll have a job once any take over eventuates.
From the papers it seems only the Fernandes and Intermarket Group are keen for him to remain. Sullivan, reportedly will replace him with Hughes and Cellino will get his first sacking in right away.
I also fear for tomorrow's match if no decision or an unpopular one is made. Add this to the unbalanced team we are sure to put out and we may get a drumming. I hope not. It would show enormous character if we played well and even got some kind of result.
I am still praying Fernandes wins the battle. I think he would provide the smoothest transition, keeping Duxbury, Nani, and Zola/Clarke till at least the end of the season. Fingers crossed!
Aussie…We can't keep ripping into players who get injured. When we bought Dyer, that decision was made by:
1. The manager
2. The chairman
3. The Board
4. Our Physio
5. An independent Surgeon
6. West Ham's doctor
Describing Dyer as a greedy tosser is idiotic, too simple and naive.
We had this same mind-set during the uncertainty over Ashton. I for one have plenty of sympathy for Dyer and any other player fighting to save their career through injury.
In my defence this is the first time that I have suggested that we get rid of any player due to chronic injury problems. I have not "ripped into him", merely said that it's time to get rid of him. I feel for him, but this is a football club (as you rightly point out) but one where players are surely expected to be fit and available for selection for a good percentage of the season. Setting aside his broken leg, if the whole squad had his overall injury record where would we be then?
That's the gamble you take when you sign players. There are no 100 per cent guarantees, some you win…some you lose.
But clubs cannot consign the injured to the rubbish bin, or flog them off, just to satisfy fans who are Soooooooooooo upset that players don't measure up to their lofty expectations. Thank God Zola and Clarke have more understanding and Christian spirit than a lot of people.
ashtead ray i agree to a point, but its the fault of the people who signed him…..as listed by lofty…, not dyers. he got offered 65k per week and a 4 or 5 year contract….you cant blame him for signing that !!!
Besides no one would sign him….so we are stuck with him like it or not. Even if offered on f/t, no one would take a risk on him. From the clubs point of view if he retires, we get a insurance payout (what are our insurance cost gonna be for next year !!!). If not we just have to keep him and hope he plays occasionally i suppose and learn from the mistake and take more notice of a players medical history in future.
I wouldn't think Dyer not playing is costing us too much financially.
I'm no expert in employment or health insurance but the huge investment of £6 million West Ham made in purchasing him – just like the investment any company makes (whether on staff or other resources) – is bound to be insured up to the hilt. I doubt whether much of his wages, whilst injured, are paid by the club.
The loss for us is all in missing his immense talent on the field. I hope he gets, and stays, fit soon.
quite pleased with the fine to be honest, could have been a lot worse!
loftyperch, I agree with ray on this. I have sympathy for Dyer, I feel terrible for the guy. but we need to cut our losses in him. he has cost us so much money, and in over two years has started all if 3 games. the money we’ve spent on his wages will have been enough to buy a decent player with! it’s not is fault, he isn’t greedy and e isn’t to blame! it’s just life. and when he has played he hasn’t ever been fully fit, so has never impressed. get rid of him. I’ll still never understand why curbs signed him when eveyone on here knew we shouldn’t.
Personally I think we got away with the size of the fine . . maybe we could have offered the FA Dyer in exchange!!
As for the takeover CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE HOLD UP IS???
Right lets not forget we have a very tough game against Villa coming up with NO strikers. .. only team I can think is
Green
Faubert
Tompkins
Upson
Delprena
Kovac
Parker
Collison
Behrahmi
Diamanti
Nouble
Subs: Kurtz, Spector, Da Costa, Noble, Stainislas, JIminez, Sears
How long is Franco likely to be out? I was hoping he would return tomorrow.
Franco is fine according to whufc site as it claims he is back after his one match ban so was it all papers stiring talk again, Hope he is alright to play.
To answer my own question, club site says Guille Franco is likely to miss the rest of the month with a muscle problem. Oh bloody dear, as Mother Teresa used to say.
Lofty, how did you know she used to say that …
I'm good lip reader.
Bray : I would play Behrami at RB for this one and bring noble in to MF.
The danger men for me are, Milner who is on fire at the moment and petrov who just dominants and controls the MF, of course they have Young and downing as well but everything seems to start with milner or petrov.
I'd play Peperahmi on the right side of midfield and Faubert at LB and let them run Milner and Petrov of the ball. Then have Collison protect Daprella at LB with Parker and Diamante in the middle ahead of Kovac allowing Nouble to play up front for an hour on his own. Not ideal but if we are tight at the back, a goal from a set piece or midfield could at least nick us a point
New headline, explains debts and delay over takeover and it is just a matter of days now until completion, here is the link:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=726106…
harry harris is reporting an insider has told him that west ham are 110 mill in debt.why is he the only one in the world that knows this insider? why is he the only one who found this info out? and why would all these investors want west ham when everton are for sale with alot less debts than us?
Harry Harris couldn't predict Christmas. He writes for ESPN now because his credit-line with our national press expired long ago.
He suggests that we owe £40million to other clubs for unpaid transfer deals but makes no mention of moneys owed to us. I find that figure extremly hard to digest, like most of Harris's offerings.
Exactly Lofty, I just made a similar point on the other thread. it just seems like silly season now re anything related to West Ham's debt and finances. I can't wait for all this to be over.
In terms of facts and truth Harry Harris is allegedly the most unreliable journalist of them all – and that's a pretty amazing title to have. He has always come over as being virulently anti-West Ham and has proved over the years that numbers are something he does not understand. He will be wrong as he has almost always been.
Obviously any change of ownership has a dramtic effect on a club's fortune, but I feel the decision of West Ham's new owner could send us straight down into the championship or provide the platform for Zola/Clarke and the team to force their way into Europe in the next couple of years.
We all know the squad aren't that far away from being very competitive with any team in the PL. Five or six clever aquisitions with the further development of our youth will create a great squad of players and if Zola can continue to learn then who knows.
But if we have a disruptive owner, if Zola is sacked, if players revolt, then all the hard graft in the last two years will be for nothing.
Don't listen to what Harry Harris says. If you remember, Harry Harris was there a year ago telling everyone that there is a fire sale. He has been wrong about everything in the past. Basically this man is an outcast and has upset so many people in the past that he is effectively and outcast in the media. that is why he is writing for ESPN.
I wouldn't even read a word that this man says. Every article he has ever written is sensationalist. He represents everything that is wrong in the media.
This was my problem with dragging this takeover out. We are now leading into the third week of the month and still no takeover. Every passing day leads to people hacks like harris making stuff up and looking for controversial headlines at our expense.
Sort it out West Ham- stop this speculation now!
Harry Harris is also ex Mirror, nuff said? I'm hoping that the time taken over the take over is becauze the club, for once, want to do things the right way
Me too. Good point but unfortunately the club have nothing to do with it. It is in the hands of the greedy bankers. They just want to take the money.
I would have thought though, and hoped, that they would think Cellino would be too much of a risk as he could be chucked out after the takeover, and we will be back to square one again.
Interesting that Tony Cottee on soccer saturday, seems to have no idea what is going on at West Ham, and is deeply concerned. It is worrying. After all there were rumours(one of millions) that he was involved in intermarket
Brilliantly typical headline in the Daily Mail today.
"Zola questions his own ability in keeping west ham from the drop"
I looked at the headline, acknowledged that it was the Daily Mail and also coupled it with the fact that Zola is always very optimistic, and has faith in his players and his own ability. He has said this every single week.
So, if you read the article it is actually a very positive one. There is nothing at all in here which suggests that he questions his own ability. Let alone questions his own ability to keep us from getting relegated.
Daily Mail really is the worst kind of rag. I would take more credence from a few scribblings on the inside of a toilet cubicle in a working man's pub.
PT 1
Regarding Millwall, the punishment handed down is in reality light compared to what they could have done. For those of us that were there , I can safely say I was ashamed to be a fan that night.
PT 2
On takeovers, enough is now enough. Cellino will not pass the PL, fit and proper persons test so why do the board just rule him out now. Gold and Sullivan whilst we know they are trying to get the club on the cheap have a proven, albeit unpopular track record and built an err of stability at Birmingham City, they will pass the FPPT. Intermarket are a group of investors, but we do not know who is fronting the bid. Again will they pass any PL requirements? Finally Tony Fernandes, for all his entrepreneurship has to be seen as a risk. Where boom follows bust, bust follows boom, is he another time-bomb waiting to go off? We do not want a situation like at Portsmouth. Should have no problem on the FPPT front though.
I know I sound like a broken record but the longer this goes on, the longer hack journos, looking for a story where there isn't one will continue their smear campaign against the good name of our club. I so want to keep faith but hope is beginning to turn to despair the longer the saga continues.
My concern is that the banks may risk it and get Cellino in. Apparently Cellino has offered the most money. This would be disaster for west ham as zola would be sacked along with clarke, the players would revolt, and there would be uncertainty about if and when he would be chucked out for his past. Then we would have a long and protracted saga where he would go to his lawyers – cue months of upheaval. Cellino will take us down.
Also, It is not just FA's fit and proper test, it is UEFA's and if he is currently Chairman of Cagliari, so he was allowed to take up ownership there, then why not here.
I shudder at the thought
BOB PT1 I am in total agreement, I can't see how Millwall got nothing, they did take liberties on the night and cannot be held blamless, but there we are all over now and time to move on.
PT2 The supposed takeover is now and has been for me not worth talking about as ALL that is written,said or posted is the same as it was pretty much 3 weeks ago.SPECULATION SPECULATION AND MORE SPECULATION.
We all have a preference but only time will tell who is right and wrong and untill we have new owners none of us can say for sure that thay are the right or wrong choice the proof is in the pudding as they say. The official site is the only place to find the truth and when the club have something worth while to tell I am sure they will.
Whats more important is tomorrows game and how the players are feeling and how Zola is or is'nt affected. Above all else the result is more important.
The boys are bound to be affected. It is appalling that this saga has been played out for so long. I was quite frustrated 2 weeks back when there was not any news on the Tuesday of that week. I was concerned then that it would be a long drawn out process. Even I couldn't have imagined it would be quite this dreadful. In the meantime we are now suffering rumour about our manager's job – is there anything more that can be said.
Please banks, get it done and don't whatever you do give it to Cellino
What has been proven over the last 2 years is that the bankers really aren't that bright. They can't be trusted to make the right decision
One of the very very few times I want Spurs to get a win and they don't do it. It just heightens my disliking of them.
So, in the bottom three now lads!
Just a few points that come to mind.
- if we owed £40 million to clubs would the FA not give us a transfer embargo?
- would sky not pay our TV money to these teams?
- who have we spent £40 million on?
- would th FA not have something to say about this?
I have to gigle at Harry Harris's thought that we owe other clubs £40 in unpaid transfer payments …. we haven't bought anyone of any great note for two years now and if we hadn't paid then surely the FA would have placed a transfer embargo upon us ….
True lol utter rubbish isn't it.
Results wern't too bad but not the best for us today as we have just slipped into the bottom 3 as hull drew with spurs, so we are 1 point off, 3 points tomorrow will lift us to a healthy 14th place but it is much easier said than done, tomorrow will be extremely challenging considering we don't have 1 first team fit striker, looks like the youngstes will have to do a job, hoping for the best tomorrow but it will be extremely difficult as Villa are playing very well, would love to have some positive news before the game like an announcement of a takeover, this could make a huge differnece on how well we played, players could go in with just pure 100% football on their minds and getting in their to do a job, the sooner this takevover is done the best for everyone, us fans, the players, the staff and of cource clarke and Zola, Then into the transfer market we can go to help strengthen our team and get away from all this mess. Come on you irons!!!!!