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Runaround Sue!
Runaround Sue!
Thursday, 19th Mar 2009 21:15

West Ham boss Zola reacts furiously to further compensation claims out of Tevez affair, meanwhile Blackpool chairman gunning for Leeds over Grayson departure.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has declared he is sick of the Carols Tevez affair.

Having agreed a compensation figure with Sheffield United earlier in the week, the Hammers had hoped that was the end of the matter - however following on from Leeds, ex Sheffield United players and Neil Warnock's admissions that they are after compo too, Zola has been left fuming.

He said on Thursday "I hope from now on we can be left in peace and plan our future. Since I have been here, we have been talking about this. Now it is settled, we are still talking about it.

"I wish we could get on with it and focus on our future. I don't want to hear about it anymore - I have had enough.

"This club has been through so any problems this year. We will handle it properly."

From a Leeds perspective, it is understood that the club lawyers are investigating the possibility of claiming for losses on the back of the Sheffield United settlement. Leeds had sold the Blades three players during the fateful 2006/07 season, all three had clauses inserted into the sales that Leeds would receive a "substantial six figure sum" if the Blades beat the drop, but of course they didn't and Leeds received nowt!

However Leeds may face actions for damages from another club in Blackpool. In Thursday night's Blackpool Gazette, the Seasider's chairman Karl Oyston was quoted as preparing to fight hard ahead of a hearing in Manchester next month over the alleged poaching of Simon Grayson at Christmas.

Oyston told the paper: "Leeds have obviously put themselves at risk by what we consider to be an illegal approach, as well as the breach of contract that they have induced in our manager.

"I've no particular trepidation going into this hearing and I'll comment fully after the panel has heard the evidence and made its judgement.

"But Leeds stole our manager and made an illegal approach, inducing him to breach his contract, and that's a fact."

However, according to press reports in West Yorkshire, Leeds will vigorously deny the claims at the hearing on April 9th. Our argument is that Grayson was a free man, having resigned from Blackpool following news being leaked of Leeds approach to Blackpool for his services - which the Seasiders rejected.

Grayson meanwhile has decided not to offer a contract to former Derby and Southampton defender Darren Powell, who has just completed a trial spell at West Yorkshire.

Photo: Action Images



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