West Ham have been warned by the Premier League that they face disciplinary action - which includes the option of a points deduction - if the dispute over the proposed transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United is not concluded to their satisfaction.
The Premier League believes that West Ham have severed all links to Tevez's agent, Kia Joorabchian, who owns the economic rights to the player, and if the club agree to terminate the remaining three years of the Argentina striker's contract - something he has requested personally - sanctions will be imposed.
A Premier League spokesman said: "We have made it clear to West Ham that we will take action against them if they agree to Tevez's request to terminate his contract."
The league is unhappy at the prospect of Joorabchian being the main beneficiary of a deal with Old Trafford, after being given assurances this year that West Ham, who own the player's registration, had cut all ties with the businessman and his company, MSI.
"We are satisfied the agreement between West Ham and MSI no longer exists. Joorabchian says it does. The only way MSI can proceed is to sue West Ham for breach of contract," said the league spokesman.
The Times
The Premier League has privately warned West Ham United that they could face further disciplinary action over the Carlos Tévez affair if they do not receive a transfer fee for the Argentina forward should the player join Manchester United.
West Ham relinquished any power to terminate Tévez's contract when, after being found guilty in April of acting improperly over his signing last summer, they terminated their third-party agreement with Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns the economic rights to the player, and gave the League assurances that they would "assert their rights" over the Argentinian.
As a consequence, West Ham had no alternative but to reject a request in writing from Tévez this week to have his playing contract cancelled. The club and the League have also turned down a written request from Tévez's representatives to cancel the player's registration, which West Ham hold.
All three parties believe that they can reach an agreement, but it is likely to hinge on Joorabchian and West Ham reaching a settlement that satisfies both of them and the League. Although unlikely, there is a chance the matter could end up in the courts.