UEFA fretting over Hammers deal (5 Sep 2006 16:43 GMT)
European football bosses UEFA have admitted they are powerless to act over the mysterious deal that took Argentine World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham.
Despite interest from some of Europe's top clubs, the former Corinthians pair chose to join English Premiership minnows West Ham.
Since then, several details and murky rumours about the transfers have emerged in the British press, leaving UEFA admitting they are worried about the situation surrounding two players seemingly owned by an investment group rather than a club.
"The West Ham situation concerns us, whether regarding the identity of the eventual owners of the club or the case of Tevez and Mascherano, because we don't know who owns their registration," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said.
According to the British press, the two players, who had been touted around some of Europe's top clubs, are owned by Media Sports Investment (MSI), a group which also holds a majority stake in Brazilian club Corinthians.
One of MSI's owners, Iranian-born Kia Joorabchian, is also among a consortium of businessmen believed to be involved in a secretive takeover attempt at West Ham.
"This concerns us. But I don't think the British government can do anything and neither can we," added Gaillard.
The news has sparked FIFA into a quick rethink of its regulations and world football's governing body says it will try to invoke new rules forcing individuals trying to take over clubs to reveal their identities.
source : ABC/AFP