West Ham to stop 'legal anarchy'

Warnock: 'I'm disappointed from a playing perspective as we'd been doing so well' (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham insist they have not received any formal legal claims from either Sheffield United players or former Blades manager Neil Warnock.

Warnock revealed he was considering taking legal action against the Hammers for personal compensation in relation to the Carlos Tevez affair.

The now Crystal Palace manager feels he suffered personally because of West Ham fielding Tevez, who was ineligible to play. Warnock left his role at Bramall Lane after Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

In response to Warnock's comments, West Ham released the following statement: "Despite the extensive media coverage, West Ham United have received no formal legal claims from Sheffield United players or their previous manager relating to the so-called Tevez affair.

"The club have settled the matter of compensation, as ruled upon by Lord Griffiths, with Sheffield United and can see no basis for claims being brought outside of the arbitration process, established by the Football Association, which has now been brought to a close.

"However, it is now becoming clear that the ruling by Lord Griffiths has encouraged a potentially endless legal chain of claims and counter claims, which can only be damaging to English football.

"As a club we will strongly resist any attempts to prolong this matter through the courts both to protect our interests and those of the wider game.

"There is a lot more at stake than the finances of West Ham United and we will do all we can to stop this matter ending in a form of legal anarchy."