The Premier League's top two officials, chairman Sir Dave Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore, failed last night in an attempt to destabilise the 'gang of four' clubs protesting about West Ham's punishment in the Carlos Tevez affair.'They were there to put pressure on and to reduce the gang of four to a gang of two,' an executive from one of the four clubs told Observer Sport. Wigan were also invited, but were unable to attend 'due to logistics'. The League disputed this version of events, saying that Scudamore had offered to meet all four clubs and that it 'was not a Machiavellian plot to divide and rule'.
The 'gang of four' - Charlton, Wigan, Sheffield United and Fulham - have all been involved in the relegation struggle, along with West Ham, this season. They remain furious that West Ham were not docked points for fielding Tevez and Javier Mascherano, whose contracts contravened Premier League regulations. West Ham were fined £5.5million, but had they lost points they would have been relegated already.
Sheffield United host Wigan today in a match that is pivotal in deciding who joins Watford and Charlton in the Championship. If West Ham avoid defeat at Manchester United they will survive. Wigan are favourites to go down but will stay up if they win at Bramall Lane, consigning West Ham or Sheffield to relegation.
Read More
